as in shivers
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
a veteran performer who still gets a case of the nerves before performances
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in braces
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nerves
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Hug a Therapy Llama Therapy llamas and alpacas are calming fliers' nerves at this US airport.
—Hannah Wallace, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
The stage was ripe for nerves, at the very least.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
How do nerves appear in the kitchen?
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Maybe that was a way of calming his nerves, but the upshot is to give him a disaffected air that’s almost Lou Reed adjacent.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
But the nerves dissipated as Make-A-Wish New Jersey and The Learning Experience in Blackwood rolled out the red carpet to announce that Aurora, her mom, dad and three brothers will soon be heading to Walt Disney World.
—CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
This protein plays a role in transmitting pulses from cochlear cells within the ear to nearby nerves, which carry the signals on to the brain.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, tech stocks are back in favor after sliding earlier this year over nerves about expensive valuations and AI disrupting the software industry.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
The same study notes that the hormonal cascade may even dull pain by activating peripheral nerves and autonomic pathways.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Hug a Therapy Llama Therapy llamas and alpacas are calming fliers' nerves at this US airport.
—Hannah Wallace, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
The stage was ripe for nerves, at the very least.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
How do nerves appear in the kitchen?
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Maybe that was a way of calming his nerves, but the upshot is to give him a disaffected air that’s almost Lou Reed adjacent.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
But the nerves dissipated as Make-A-Wish New Jersey and The Learning Experience in Blackwood rolled out the red carpet to announce that Aurora, her mom, dad and three brothers will soon be heading to Walt Disney World.
—CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
This protein plays a role in transmitting pulses from cochlear cells within the ear to nearby nerves, which carry the signals on to the brain.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, tech stocks are back in favor after sliding earlier this year over nerves about expensive valuations and AI disrupting the software industry.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerves
Noun
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Miller wrote the play long before the rise of artificial intelligence sent shivers through the American workforce.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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And some shivers, because that title isn’t a misdirect.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Local officials were assessing the extent of the damage and impact — as the region braces for more possible tornadoes in the days ahead.—
Ben Noll,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better?—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Excited yet anxious over the prospect of reconnecting with the man that got away, the pair fortifies themselves with cocktails and bubbly during a boozy dinner.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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Justin Faulk immediately fortifies Detroit’s second defense pair next to Ben Chiarot.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerves. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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