NERVE Synonyms: 206 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

nerve 1 of 2

noun

ˈnərv

Definition of nerve next

as in gall

shameless boldness you've got a lot of nerve showing up here

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in courage

strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger that daring rescue took some nerve

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as in shakes

nerves plural a sense of panic or extreme nervousness a veteran performer who still gets a case of the nerves before performances

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nerve

2 of 2

verb

as in to brace

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of nerve

Noun

If a nerve is affected, leg numbness or weakness may also occur.6 Spondylolisthesis Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips forward over the one below it, potentially leading to nerve compression. —

Sarah Jividen, Health, 20 Dec. 2024 Fuentes's election night video, however, struck a nerve among leftists, who ended up leaking his home address online. —

Peter Aitken, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 Its theme really hit a nerve with audiences, created a real cultural conversation and even resulted in more twins (not depicted in the film) getting reunited in real life. —

Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024 So, then, what, really, was the fuss? Cheating, even in the abstract, touches a nerve like no other form of transgression, laying bare a fundamental insecurity about relationships which, as celebrities demonstrate, no allotment of money, talent, or good looks can foreclose. —

Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nerve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve

Noun

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
Jason, who Reed has the gall to say might not be worth avenging, does Helen one more good turn from beyond the grave.

Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024