as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
a nerved and fearless driver of race cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nerved
IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023
Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021
Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role.
—Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union.
—Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy.
—Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Adjective
The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023
Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021
Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role.
—Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union.
—Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy.
—Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerved
Adjective
-
An adventurous death trip that will magically drive them both from their hovel to the wild mountains and up to New York, from suffocating reality to absolute freedom.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Beachgoers can enjoy the calm turquoise waters and white sand, or jump on a catamaran for an adventurous day at sea.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
At exactly noon on New Year’s Day, about 20 people braced their feet against the silty shore of Lake Natoma, hopping and fidgeting to warm themselves.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacramento Bee,
1 Jan. 2025
-
Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday as the government braced for reprisal shootings after an attempt on a gang leader’s life, officials said.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
With temperatures around 30 degrees on Saturday, almost 100 brave Special Olympic athletes, coaches, students and community volunteers took the Polar Plunge at Valparaiso University.—
Deena Butterfield,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
-
For decades, brave activists struggled for inclusion in a society so disabling that few disabled people could pursue a career.—
Danilyn Rutherford,
TIME,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
At some campuses, administrators got tough with the protesters, cleared out the sprawling encampments and disciplined or even arrested the student demonstrators who occupied and fortified them.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes,
8 Dec. 2024
-
Doors should be fortified, and homes may have safe rooms designed to be impenetrable.—
Ethan Baron,
The Mercury News,
7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The delicate gold chains holding Johnson’s Gucci dress together recalled another sensual and daring red carpet look: the safety pin dress, which through the years, has been worn by Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, Kristen Stewart, and of course the vivacious original, Elizabeth Hurley in Versace.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Suspicions rise amidst growing tensions in the city, and Cervantes, driven by an unwavering sense of optimism, devises a daring plan for freedom.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The day was saved by advance planning for wildfire mitigation and courageous staff, including security guards and groundskeepers who risked life and limb and remained at the site to fight the deadly blaze.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Click on the video above to see a courageous K9 take her final bow before retirement Need a break?—
Terry Baddoo,
USA TODAY,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
By Alice Cary and Christian Allaire As far as fashion is concerned, Rihanna has always been ahead of the curve—able to dabble in trends in a genuinely fearless manner.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The story will chronicle the extraordinary true story of a meeting between Queen Elizabeth I, the most powerful ruler in British history, and the fearless 16th century Irish rebel pirate Grace O’Malley (Granuaile).—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The case for a new general manager is that person would be able to better identify the types of players necessary to round at this roster and have the foresight to take bold and proactive action to make moves happen.—
Matthew Fairburn,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Her makeup included bold brows and a smokey eye with a glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share