NERVED Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

nerved 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnərvd

Definition of nerved

as in adventurous

inclined or willing to take risks a nerved and fearless driver of race cars

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nerved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of nerve

as in braced

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nerved

Adjective

But what places this film on this list is Byrne’s raw-nerved, aching, anxiously taut performance. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025 The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023 Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022 The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021 Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role. — Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019 Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union. — Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018 Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy. — Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerved

Adjective

Chris Strouthopoulos is the founder of Ascent Empowerment, which helps adventurous men beat professional burnout.

— Chris Strouthopoulos, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Lenae welcomes an adventurous curiosity without being too hard on herself when her heart ends up on the chopping block.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of adventurous

Verb

In the summer of 2024 fertility doctor Carrie Bedient sat across from a young couple and braced herself for a difficult conversation.

— Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
But 10,000 people remain under evacuation orders in Castellón, where a fire was still out of control as Spain braced for its fourth heat wave of the summer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Definition of braced

Adjective

In her very first on-screen role, Reeves brings a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Be brave and ask him if he has been involved with anyone else.

— Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of brave

Verb

The decision comes on the heels of a trade deadline in which Pittsburgh, seeking to end a decade-long playoff drought, fortified its leaky bullpen with a series of moves, including acquiring prominent reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Identify fortified non-dairy substitutions for milk and yogurt.

— PubSubHub User, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of fortified

Adjective

Even the films that aren’t explicitly about the next generation often have a stasis-like quality to them, refusing to take risks or stray from the original films in any daring way, that feels apiece with where modern franchise filmmaking is in 2026.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026
The tactics used are as unconventional and daring as those in spy novels.

— Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of daring

Adjective

If Pisces was rising on the horizon at your time of birth, your money sector is ruled by go-getter Mars, celestial ruler of the bold and fearless sign of Aries.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Guzmán is Yvonne Delgado, an innocent yet fearless immigrant farm worker determined to protect her family.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of fearless

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“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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adjective

verb

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