unnerve
Definition
- Verb:
- To disturb the composure of; to cause to lose courage, confidence, or self-control, often by inducing fear, anxiety, or agitation.
Usage
The verb "unnerve" describes the action of making someone feel nervous, frightened, or unable to think clearly or act confidently. It implies a disruption of one's normal calm or brave state. It is typically used with a person or group of people as the object.
Examples
- The sudden, loud noise unnerved the sleeping cat.
- His intense stare unnerved her during the interview.
- The team was unnerved by the opponent's aggressive start to the game.
- She tried not to let the criticism unnerve her.
Advanced Usage
- "to unnerve someone": This is the standard construction, where the thing causing the anxiety acts upon a person.
- The eerie silence of the empty house unnerved him.
- Often used in passive voice: "to be unnerved by something."
- The speaker was visibly unnerved by the hostile questions from the audience.
Variants and Related Words
- Unnerving (adjective): Causing one to lose courage or confidence; disturbing.
- It was an unnerving experience to walk through the dark forest alone.
- Unnerved (adjective): The state of having lost composure.
- She felt unnerved and unsure of what to do next.
Synonyms
- Rattle: To make someone nervous or irritated.
- Fluster: To make someone agitated or confused.
- Disconcert: To disturb the composure of; to unsettle.
- Faze: To disturb or disconcert (often used in negative constructions: "was not fazed").
Antonyms
- Reassure: To say or do something to remove someone's doubts or fears.
- Steady: To make or become steady, calm, or controlled.
- Encourage: To give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To get under someone's skin: To irritate or upset someone deeply (a less formal synonym for the effect of unnerving someone).
- His constant teasing finally got under her skin.
- To throw someone off balance: To cause someone to become confused or uncertain.
- The unexpected question threw the candidate off balance.
Verb
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disturb the composure of
