Unnerve Meaning
/ʌnˈnɜː(ɹ)v/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo deprive of nerve, force, or strength; to weaken; to enfeeble. Compare enervate.
verbTo make somebody nervous, upset, alarm, shake the resolve of.
Sentence Examples
The strange and quiet silence in the old house began to unnerve her.
To unnerve means to cause someone to lose their courage or confidence.
The sudden loud noise seemed to unnerve the horse.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The loud noise from the construction site will ____ the experienced worker, making him feel anxious.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sudden loud noise was enough to ____ the young child, who started crying and looking for her mother today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-West Germanic *anda- Old English and- Old English on- Middle English on- English un- English nerve English unnerve From un- + nerve.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But new immigration is no longer the primary driver of the growing racial, ethnic and religious diversity that unnerves much of the GOP coalition."
— 2021 April 23, Ronald Brownstein, “The racist ‘replacement theory’ has it all backward”, in CNN:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The loud noise from the construction site will ____ the experienced worker, making him feel anxious.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sudden loud noise was enough to ____ the young child, who started crying and looking for her mother today.