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
-
The best tiny house rentals are a neat way to explore boundaries of space with a special someone or have an adventurous getaway on a budget.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The company leaps right past the common four-berth pop-up camper to create a five-seat five-sleeper Sprinter 170 that's every bit as rugged, adventurous and versatile as its smaller 144s.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 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
-
LaBruce’s idiosyncrasy is connected to the fearless audacity of his brave, tragic inspiration, Pasolini.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 Mar. 2025
-
At the same time, Scott’s act of mass ventriloquism—patient, playful, physically astute and ultimately brave—clarifies something at the heart of Chekhov’s play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 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
-
Both announcements were mocked for their pace, but could any other show or movie pull off such a daring (yet glacially slow) event for something as ordinary as a release date or cast reveal?—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Co-created with star Stephen Graham, the four-part series uses a daring one-shot for each episode to call attention to widespread reports of young boys involved in knife crimes.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
His stage name, combining the loyal, strong, and courageous Hindu god Hanuman with the rest of mankind, gives a sense of how lofty his ambitions for his music are.—
Isha Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The courageous, notoriously hard-working star was there to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dollywood.—
Robin Raven,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The eclectic evening highlighted what is at the core of both Mosshart's artistry and Lotan's design ethos: fearless self-expression.—
Gaby Keiderling,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
-
In her public appearances and on social media, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has become a symbol of fearless resistance to the Trump administration’s bullying.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
From the lobby to rooms, restaurants, and the rooftop, neutral backdrops are layered with metallic accents, and bold and energetic colors like emerald green, saffron yellow, fiery chili pepper red, and Mediterranean blue.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
After years of pandemic fallout, opioid deaths, and declining public trust, the agency needs bold, decisive leadership.—
Michael Mina,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share