unnerve — to make someone feel nervous, anxious, or lose confidence
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to make someone feel nervous, anxious, or lose confidence
Pronunciation (IPA): /ʌnˈnɜːrv/
Example Sentences
- The teacher's unexpected pop quiz completely unnerved the unprepared students.
- My mom's calm reaction to my bad grades unnerved me more than yelling would have.
- The job interviewer's poker face unnerved the candidate throughout the entire meeting.
unnerve
VERB[/ʌnˈnɜːrv/]
to make someone feel nervous, anxious, or lose confidence
The sudden creak in the empty hallway unnerved the night guard completely.
Too unnerved to observe, failed to preserve!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not' or 'to reverse') combined with 'nerve' (from Latin 'nervus' meaning 'sinew' or 'strength'). The word emerged in the 16th century to describe the act of depriving someone of courage or composure.
Breakdown
un- (not, to reverse) + nerve (strength, courage) = unnerve (to deprive of nerve/courage)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher's unexpected pop quiz completely unnerved the unprepared students.”
“My mom's calm reaction to my bad grades unnerved me more than yelling would have.”
“The job interviewer's poker face unnerved the candidate throughout the entire meeting.”
“The cat's intense stare unnerved the mouse so much that it forgot where the cheese was hidden.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.