nerve
noun
\
Definition of nerve
(Entry 1 of 2)
nerve
verbDefinition of nerve (Entry 2 of 2)
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for nerve
Synonyms: Noun
audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa), crust, effrontery, face, gall, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity
Synonyms: Verb
brace, forearm, fortify, poise, psych (up), ready, steel, strengthen
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of nerve in a Sentence
Noun
The optic nerve in the eye allows you to see. a condition affecting the nerves in her arm It takes a lot of nerve to start a new career. He found the nerve to stand up to his boss. I was going to ask her to the dance, but I lost my nerve. You have a lot of nerve to talk to me that way. I can't believe she had the nerve to call me a liar.Verb
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Mistakes in the installation of gas appliances are common and nerve-racking. — SFChronicle.com, "Getting the best deals on appliances," 30 Aug. 2019 Chinese state media described the troop movement as routine but the timing is likely to hit nerves in the former British colony, which was returned to China in 1997, that has seen three months of sometimes violent demonstrations. — NBC News, "China troops 'will defend Hong Kong prosperity' ahead of planned protests," 29 Aug. 2019 Cherie’s balance and nerves of steel got her the gold in the medium-size dog and overall categories Aug. 3 at the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica. — Hillary Davis, Daily Pilot, "Newport Beach bulldog is canine queen of the waves," 29 Aug. 2019 As the clock ticks closer to zero, Niu’s nerves spike. — Jake Fischer, SI.com, "How Red Panda Became the NBA's Favorite Halftime Performer," 28 Aug. 2019 One of her clients is Sharon Fillner, 62, who has neuropathy, a degenerative nerve disease. — Harriet L. Blake, Dallas News, "Include them in: Meeting seniors where they are helps overcome isolation," 20 Aug. 2019 But passengers who get anxious around takeoff may have a new option to calm those nerves. — Anna Washenko, Ars Technica, "British Airways testing VR headsets for first-class passengers this year," 14 Aug. 2019 Placement tests also aren’t perfect, because reading passages and word problems may reference subjects some students aren’t familiar with, while other students may underperform because of nerves, Zaback said. — Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, "Line between remedial, mainstream classes blurs as Colorado colleges reconsider paths to student success," 12 Aug. 2019 Stimulation might allow the individuals to participate more fully in rehabilitation, strengthening muscle and nerve connections through exercise. — Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, "How a Revolutionary Technique Got People with Spinal-Cord Injuries Back on Their Feet," 7 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Calcium: High in calcium, açaí berries will help keep your bones, heart, muscles, and nerves strong and healthy. — Tehrene Firman, Good Housekeeping, "10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold"," 23 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nerve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for nerve
nerve
noun