Synonyms

unnerve

American

[uhn-nurv] / ʌnˈnɜrv /

verb (used with object)

unnerved, unnerving

to deprive of courage, strength, determination, or confidence; upset.

Fear unnerved him.

unnerve British

/ ʌnˈnɜːv /

verb

(tr) to cause to lose courage, strength, confidence, self-control, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unnerve

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- ² + nerve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It unnerved some in the button-down workforce who voiced concern that the party-boy image could strain partnerships with other law-enforcement agencies and make bureau leadership seem weak in the eyes of foreign adversaries.

From The Wall Street Journal

“A conflict like this has the clear potential to unnerve international businesses operating in the Gulf,” said Michael Ratney, who served as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia under the Biden administration.

From The Wall Street Journal

The violence in the Puerto Vallarta area is unnerving America’s community of expat retirees in Mexico, a destination popular with the growing number of people retiring abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal

There could be production or sales hiccups that unnerve investors.

From Barron's

The experience can be awkward or unnerving for many candidate.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023