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nerve

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nerve different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of nerve are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy
has the cheek to call herself a singer
had the gall to demand proof
the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Where would audacity be a reasonable alternative to nerve?

The words audacity and nerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When is it sensible to use effrontery instead of nerve?

Although the words effrontery and nerve have much in common, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When could hardihood be used to replace nerve?

In some situations, the words hardihood and nerve are roughly equivalent. However, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When is temerity a more appropriate choice than nerve?

The synonyms temerity and nerve are sometimes interchangeable, but temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nerve
Noun
DeShields dealt with severe tremors throughout her body and experienced frequent pain and numbness in her feet due to the nerve damage in her back during a grueling rehab process. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2025 Early detection and treatment can help prevent long-term nerve damage and other complications related to B12 deficiency. Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025 But still, there’s nothing like the nerves of showing up on your first day of any job, let alone to have to shoot your most important scenes that really determined whether people buy into the movie or not. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2025 The episode struck a nerve, as quiet government rumblings about big shifts tend to do. Dean Debiase, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
  • Our study also identified other risks, including low blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, formation of kidney stones, and gall bladder disease and diseases associated with the bile ducts.
    Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Coordinators have rarely had the gall to try to run it in those spots, but the Lions did and scored.
    Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Final Thoughts In 2025, businesses that thrive will be those that have the courage to define a niche and serve it relentlessly.
    Sneha Lundia, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Lilian, with a phobia of reptiles, nevertheless gathered the courage for her children’s sake, running a finger along the back of the boa constrictor.
    Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And Ubisoft appears to be bracing for that, post-launch.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • But lower interest rates can also push inflation upward, and U.S. consumers have already begun bracing for higher inflation because of tariffs.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The toxic combination of Trump’s pro-Russia leanings, Vice President J. D. Vance’s arrogance and condescension, and Musk’s sad case of advanced poster’s disease have tanked America’s reputation among its traditional allies.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • But jealousy and arrogance get the best of Hamilton, who insinuates himself into the defense team, believing this action will help his political and financial setbacks.
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Passengers huddle to hear the fabled tale of a sailor who fell in love with the ocean, an allegory about bravery, exploration and transformation.
    Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
    Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • What hope had been fortified in the first half Wednesday had faded by the second.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, rising seas on Alaska's shoreline have forced the Pentagon to fortify radar sites.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Country singer Craig Morgan revealed the secret behind the heroism that drives members of the military and law enforcement officers to serve others in the face of perilous situations.
    Ashley Hume, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • What makes ‘Aloes’ so moving is the playwright’s insistence on the heroism and integrity of these harsh choices.
    Carmel Dagan, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Europe and the United States must steel themselves for a long and painful process.
    Wolfgang Ischinger, Foreign Affairs, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The speaker here is one of those men — summoning his courage in the face of terror, steeling himself for the unimaginable.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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