Synonym Chooser

How does the verb unnerve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unnerve are emasculate, enervate, and unman. While all these words 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

When can emasculate be used instead of unnerve?

In some situations, the words emasculate and unnerve are roughly equivalent. However, emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Where would enervate be a reasonable alternative to unnerve?

The words enervate and unnerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is unman a more appropriate choice than unnerve?

The synonyms unman and unnerve are sometimes interchangeable, but unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

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 unnerve The reports of arson and explicit graffiti have unnerved a nation that prides itself on being a multicultural and tolerant society and where a third of the population was born overseas. Victoria Kim, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 That has unnerved some experts, who worry that a decline in birth rates may have more to do with modern lifestyles than concerns about affordability. Amanda Gerut, Fortune Asia, 12 Dec. 2024 Russia is trying to unnerve civilians and wear down their will to resist in the almost 3-year-old war, military analysts say. Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024 Their relentlessly upbeat line deliveries will unnerve anyone who has played the role of the family mediator. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve
Verb
  • Leaders who excel at leading through crisis understand the importance of focusing on what is actionable rather than being paralyzed by uncertainty.
    Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
  • And yet much like the Democrats paralyzed by the chaos at home, the last three days have exceeded their worst nightmares.
    Zachary Basu, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Failure, on the other hand, would discourage other business leaders already nervous about the current political climate.
    Justin Worland, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Hiking is discouraged through Monday with more snow falling in the Snoqualmie Pass and other lower passes.
    Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On the streets, conservative protesters, frightened that the left could win the next election, have rallied to Yoon.
    ROBERT E. KELLY, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025
  • That frightened stray kitten forgot her fears and moved up on that ball of paper and batted it across the floor and then batted it again.
    Carole Wendt, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Many Americans are frustrated with the twice-annual time changes, but no legislation has been passed to make daylight saving time permanent.
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • While meant to prevent unnecessary spending and inappropriate care, UM delays care, frustrates doctors and patients and erodes trust between all parties.
    Rita Numerof, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On the military plane ride from California to Panama, Mona, a 32-year-old Iranian Christian convert, said her 8-year-old son cried, terrified to see his parents shackled.
    Julie Turkewitz, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Some of those billionaires behind Kamala are terrified of that outcome.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • He's not intimidated by operating in the shadow of such giants.
    Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Yeah, Larkin, 10 years older, sure wasn’t intimidated Saturday night.
    Michael Russo, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His limited resume and the fact he’s spent more time in the box than on the edge also might scare teams, which means Walker’s potential draft range could be rather large.
    Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
  • That's one week after Borderlands 4 and just in time to scare everyone (hopefully) during the all-spooky Halloween season.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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