as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks a nerved and fearless driver of race cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 nerved
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025 The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023 Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022 The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil. —Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021 Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role. —Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019 Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union. —Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018 Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy. —Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Adjective
But what places this film on this list is Byrne’s raw-nerved, aching, anxiously taut performance. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025 The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023 Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022 The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil. —Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021 Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role. —Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019 Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union. —Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018 Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy. —Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerved
Adjective
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Immortalized by Mark Twain, the Mississippi River is a symbol of America’s adventurous spirit.— Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
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The menu features crowd-pleasing staples like shrimp and grits, hush puppies, and pimento cheese, while more adventurous eaters can try fried alligator.— Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Under all that pressure, where fans have paid premiums on tickets and hotels, and with a White House administration that has made this World Cup a priority issue, is the union braced for the heat which may come its way?— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
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If true, the solution was pretty straightforward — the replacement of the tubes with ones that have a greater wall thickness and/or are braced to prevent the vibrations that created the cracks.— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Her story reminds me that change often begins with one brave person willing to challenge the status quo.— Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
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Set one clear intention, then take a brave step before distractions crowd in.— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His career essentially bestrides the slow-to-grow Before Times and the apparent soccer paradise of today, which was fortified by remarkable facilities, boosted by an ideal central location and forged by an eagerly welcoming host city that slugged above its weight to make this happen.— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
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Slivers of domestic Wagyu tenderloin sit in a deep salsa negra fortified with soy sauce.— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Supported by her friend Nikki, portrayed by Jenny Slate, the FX miniseries, based on a podcast of the same name, celebrates female friendship and sexuality while crafting a poignant and daring narrative about living fully in the face of death.— Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
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The first films are often freer, more daring and fearless, having an individual voice and to champion those is absolutely essential.— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Of all the courageous figures in the Great Migration, the Pullman Porters of Chicago surely stand alone.— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
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Many of them relied on courageous individuals who have taken leaps of faith and shared information, sometimes at real personal risk.— Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Cox always had a chip on his shoulder, but also seemed invincible — and fearless.— Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
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From a legacy icon to a comeback story to one of the game’s most fearless dressers, the lineup reads like a brand deck designed to bridge generations.— Ryan Brennan April 7, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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His choreography, recreated from his work on the show, delivers big, bold, classic Broadway dance sequences that feel ripped from another era in the best way.— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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This transit favors bold thinking backed by follow-through.— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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