NERVE Synonyms: 206 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'nerve' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of nerve are audacity , cheek , chutzpah , effrontery , gall , hardihood , and temerity . While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve , cheek , gall , and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery . // the nerve of that guy // has the cheek to call herself a singer // had the gall to demand proof // the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Q: Where would 'audacity' be a reasonable alternative to 'nerve'?

The words audacity and nerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence. // an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

Q: When is it sensible to use 'effrontery' instead of 'nerve'?

Although the words effrontery and nerve have much in common, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. // outraged at his effrontery

Q: When could 'hardihood' be used to replace 'nerve'?

In some situations, the words hardihood and nerve are roughly equivalent. However, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. // admired for her hardihood

Q: When is 'temerity' a more appropriate choice than 'nerve'?

The synonyms temerity and nerve are sometimes interchangeable, but temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger. // had the temerity to refuse

nerve 1 of 2

noun

ˈnərv

Definition of nerve

as in gall

shameless boldness you've got a lot of nerve showing up here

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in courage

strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger that daring rescue took some nerve

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as in shakes

nerves plural a sense of panic or extreme nervousness a veteran performer who still gets a case of the nerves before performances

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nerve

2 of 2

verb

as in to brace

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nerve different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of nerve are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy

has the cheek to call herself a singer

had the gall to demand proof

the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Where would audacity be a reasonable alternative to nerve?

The words audacity and nerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When is it sensible to use effrontery instead of nerve?

Although the words effrontery and nerve have much in common, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When could hardihood be used to replace nerve?

In some situations, the words hardihood and nerve are roughly equivalent. However, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When is temerity a more appropriate choice than nerve?

The synonyms temerity and nerve are sometimes interchangeable, but temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

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 nerve

Noun

Bank of America initiates AxoGen as buy The firm said the nerve repair company has plenty of upside. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 But what begins as a bold and daring attempt to broach progressive issues in a notoriously conservative society ultimately loses its nerve, acquiescing to a number of eyebrow-raising narrative compromises. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 But as nerves kicked in, Taylor three-putted the 17th and thought his chances were dwindling. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 And nothing about the performance against the 49ers calmed last nerves. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nerve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve

Noun

What galls, perhaps, is less the accident itself than the absence of a person stepping out from behind the wheel, having a human experience of horror and regret.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Kari was confined to a wheelchair and had to have her gall bladder removed.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of gall

Noun

The future will not be shaped only by the power of our technology or our weapons, but by the quality of our conversations—and the courage of the choices that follow.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
But, beyond the wall-to-wall coverage and sensational headlines, is a story about the incredible courage, devotion, and strength that Natalee’s mother, Beth, showed in the face of unimaginable loss.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of courage

Noun

Energy drinks and alcohol generally aren’t ideal choices for protein shakes because of their potential health effects.

— Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026
This year, the menu will add mango shakes and slushies, made with fruit picked over the summer, as well as guava and hot pepper guava jellies.

— Connie Ogle October 1, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of shakes

Verb

Trump’s actions come as Ukraine is bracing for a stark winter confronting Russia’s ongoing attacks on its energy infrastructure to heat homes and keep the lights on.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Those warnings, and now Bajaria’s exit, have Wall Street bracing for more turbulence ahead.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of brace

Noun

Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
This standalone novel looks at the cult of celebrity, the bond among parents and children, entitlement and arrogance, all wrapped into a tightly wound plot that’s an evocative historical steeped in the Great Depression.

— Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogance

Noun

The King kids were quiet and poised, letting the camera inspect their faces, putting on a show of mild bravery for the nice reporter and all the people out there watching at home.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
The Biden administration, in an act of incredible bravery, doubled the sanctions on the way out, in January of 2025.

— NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of bravery

Noun

The idea of seeing a total solar eclipse there sent shivers through me.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
The country’s steady release of AI models that are open-source, high-performing, and relatively cheap to build and run has been sending shivers through Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

— Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of shivers

Verb

City officials have been frantically preparing for Rachel, building sand berms and fortifying vulnerable areas with sandbags.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
The 10% pure L-ascorbic acid works to fight against free radical damage and even out skin tone, while a blend of hyaluronic acid and ceramides helps hydrate skin and fortify the skin barrier.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fortify

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nerts

nerve

nerve center

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“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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noun

verb

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