unnerve

verb

un·​nerve ˌən-ˈnərv 

unnerved; unnerving; unnerves

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of courage, strength, or steadiness

2

: to cause to become nervous : upset

unnervingly

ˌən-ˈnər-viŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• demoralize
• emasculate
• paralyze
• undo
• unman
• unstring

Choose the Right Synonym for unnerve

unnerve, enervate, unman, emasculate mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action.

unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

enervate suggests a gradual physical or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until one is too feeble to make an effort.

a nation's youth enervated by affluence and leisure

unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Examples of unnerve in a Sentence

Seeing the police in there unnerved me.

She was unnerved by his strange manner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Guardian reported the NYPD’s decision to participate in the competition alongside the Kadyrov militia is unnerving human rights advocates. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2024

Still, the idea of attending a protest unnerved her. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024

There’s also the issue of whether a succession battle will unnerve investors. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024

But Mulaney’s isn’t the only show that could unnerve the usual late-night lineup. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unnerve

verb

un·​nerve ˌən-ˈnərv 

ˈən-

unnerved; unnerving

: to deprive of nerve, courage, or self-control

the accident unnerved me