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nerve

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verb

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

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 nerve
Noun
Sorrow and the Pity struck such a nerve in France that it was not shown in the country until 12 years after it was completed. Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2025 Two years later — after moving out of the house and into the garage — Ellie is working up the nerve to tackle her issue with Joel head-on. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 May 2025 Inflammation makes the corneal nerves more sensitive in people with dry eyes. Sarah Hudgens, Health, 17 May 2025 As Allure previously reported, this type of injectable (also known as botulinum toxin type A) works to smooth wrinkles by temporarily preventing the nerves in facial muscles to flex. Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
  • Lia Thomas stole a medal through deceit, and this rag has the gall to call him a 'champion'?
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • Her gall bladder and a large part of her liver were removed, according to a review of her medical records by The Times.
    Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • But any single act of courage might shift the trajectory of your life —or that of others.
    Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • This is where the first-responder physio plays a critical role — staying vigilant, trusting their training and instincts, and having the courage to make the tough decision to remove a player when necessary.
    Geoff Scott, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • While this can present challenges like balancing our workloads between AI agents and employees, with careful preparation and testing, companies can better brace themselves for the future.
    Syed Ahmed, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Becker’s premise is bracing: Tech oligarchs’ wildest visions of tomorrow amount to a modern secular theology that is both mesmerizing and, in his view, deeply misguided.
    John Kaag, The Atlantic, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Opinion: America was gaslit by the arrogance of Joe Biden and his enablers.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • The arrogance of the IRS should shock the conscience of all Americans.
    Chuck Flint, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Even in those first sessions, Nikola stood out for his incredible bravery when going up against older boys.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Lawmakers should strengthen existing incentives for states and cities to adopt resilience measures—fortifying homes against wind, hail, flooding, and wildfires—to lower costs for both property owners and insurance companies when disasters strike.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
  • Other studies show that tea decreased iron absorption from wheat bread fortified with ferrous sulfate or ferrous fumarate by 56 to 72%.1 Individual variation: Still, additional research is necessary to establish the best time to drink tea without affecting iron absorption.
    Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Additionally, recent independent cinema in Iran has distanced itself from heroism and focuses on marginalized classes, while the narrators of Persian rap are the disillusioned members of society.
    Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
  • Gordon’s 2024-25 has been an emotional slingshot between physical highs and lows — a page-turning shooting breakout followed by nagging injury, followed by moments of franchise heroism.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Luckily for Diggins, his resolve was steeled from his experiences with discipline in Japan.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
  • Amid growing geopolitical tensions and unpredictable politics, the global economy is steeling itself for constant, sudden change.
    Alexander Clausbruch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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