Definition

Adjective: 1. Deprived of courage, strength, or confidence; made to feel nervous, anxious, or upset: The state of having one's composure, resolve, or mental strength weakened or taken away, often due to a frightening, stressful, or unsettling experience.

Usage

The adjective "unnerved" describes a person's emotional or psychological state. It is typically used after a linking verb (like be, feel, become, look, seem) or to modify a noun directly. It emphasizes a loss of inner stability or boldness.

Examples

• The sudden, loud noise unnerved the sleeping cat. (The noise caused the cat to lose its composure.)
• She tried to appear confident, but the intense scrutiny from the panel left her feeling deeply unnerved. (The scrutiny deprived her of her confidence.)
• The witness became unnerved under the lawyer's aggressive cross-examination. (The questioning caused the witness to lose courage and become anxious.)
• He gave an unnerved performance, forgetting his lines several times. (His performance showed he had lost his composure.)

Advanced Usage

• To be unnerved by something: This is the most common construction, specifying the cause of the anxiety or loss of courage.
  • The entire team was unnerved by the sudden change in management.
• To find something unnerving: The present participle "unnerving" is often used to describe the thing that causes the feeling.
  • I find his constant silence unnerving. (His silence makes me feel unnerved.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unnerve (verb): To deprive of courage, strength, or determination; to upset or frighten.
  • The goal was to unnerve the opponent before the match even began.
• Unnerving (adjective): Causing one to lose courage or confidence; disturbing, unsettling.
  • It was an unnerving experience to walk through the dark, empty house.

Synonyms

• Rattled: Made nervous or agitated.
• Disconcerted: Disturbed the composure of; unsettled.
• Flustered: Agitated or confused.
• Shaken: Emotionally disturbed or upset.
• Daunted: Made to feel intimidated or apprehensive.

Antonyms

• Composed: Having one's feelings and expression under control; calm.
• Confident: Feeling or showing certainty about something.
• Assured: Confident and self-possessed.
• Undaunted: Not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty, danger, or disappointment.
• Steadfast: Resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

Adjective

1. deprived of courage and strength
   • the steeplejack, exhausted and unnerved, couldn't hold on to his dangerous perch much longer