- (transitive) to cause to lose courage, strength, confidence, self-control, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
un•nerve /ʌnˈnɜrv/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -nerved, -nerv•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to take away from (someone) courage, strength, determination, or confidence;
upset:Fear unnerved him.
un•nerve
(un nûrv′),USA pronunciation v.t., -nerved, -nerv•ing.
- to deprive of courage, strength, determination, or confidence;
upset:Fear unnerved him.
- un-2 + nerve 1595–1605
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
unnerve /ʌnˈnɜːv/ vb
'unnerve' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):