nervy

adjective

ˈnər-vē How to pronounce nervy (audio)
Definition of nervynext
1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty I'm a little nervy about my first job interview

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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 nervy Coach Thomas Tuchel helped England navigate a nervy 3-2 win over Mexico in a Round of 16 match in Mexico City. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026 At lunch, after 25 overs, were a nervy Henry Nicholls on 23 from 50 balls and Rachin Ravindra on 11 after a couple of exquisite boundaries. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 Outside Boston last weekend, during Scotland’s first World Cup match in twenty-eight years, a nervy 1–0 victory against Haiti, McTominay heard plenty of familiar cheers. — Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 Yet following closely behind is Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), Wardex’s nervy CEO, who’s intent on burying the facts out of fear that humanity can’t handle this mind-expanding knowledge. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
  1. wise
  2. adventurous
  3. nervous
  4. cheeky
  5. daring
  6. worried
  7. cocky
  8. fearless
Adjective
  • And another small change may also have benefited him, both mentally and timing-wise.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And that’s both take-wise as well as diversity-wise and gender-wise and religion-wise and industry-wise.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • The Ideal Trip for Families and Groups These 4x4 safaris are particularly well suited to families with teenagers and groups of friends seeking a more adventurous, immersive way to explore Iceland.
    — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Photograph by Ramona Rosales / AUGUST Musgraves’s subsequent albums have been sprawling in their search for meaning, and even more adventurous in the sonic pathways travelled to get there.
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • The letter writer is almost 40 and nervous about living with a romantic partner for the first time.
    — Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That energy spike is reinforcing inflation worries in a bond market already nervous about America’s $40 trillion mountain of debt.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • In fact, plundering England’s lower leagues is a rich source of unique goals, from Ballard’s spectacular effort to this cheeky one from Crewe Alexandra striker Josh March in their 1-0 League Two win over Northampton on Saturday.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The cheeky set consisted of a string halter-neck top and matching bottoms.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheeky
Adjective
  • Make your voice heard with your most daring predictions, from the best limited series and TV movie to acting, directing, and writing across genres.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The daring shoes featured a charming detail around the ankle that can help reignite the anklet trend.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • When Republican lawmakers secured cuts to the United States' largest food assistance program last year, Paige Shoemaker DeMio wasn't worried about children going hungry just at home — but at school.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Mattfeld is excellent in what could easily have been a thankless role, playing Ricky with the mien of someone who is always holding it together, years of disappointment and condescension and expectation keeping her eyes worried and jaw tight.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Joe Jonas as Shane Gray Since his days as the cocky but lovable Shane Gray in Camp Rock, Joe Jonas has carved out a multifaceted career.
    — Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
  • He’s known for his cocky attitude, teaming up with fellow hero Blue Beetle and traveling with his robot companion Skeets.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of cocky
Adjective
  • This was the era when Parton discovered that her fearless purview and colorful fashion sense could attract fans well beyond her core country constituency.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Founded by Charles Tanqueray in London, the brand was built on a fearless pursuit of perfection — with over 300 versions created before the final London Dry expression was perfected.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of fearless

Browse Nearby Words

nervous wrecks
nervy
nescience
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Cite this Entry

“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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