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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Cox said alpha-synuclein, the misfolded proteins that cause Parkinson's disease, can sometimes start in the gut and spread up the vagus nerve — the nerve that carries signals between your brain, heart and digestive system. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 But that didn’t settle the nerves of residents or commissioners Monday night. — Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 Truist initiates AxoGen as buy Truist said the nerve repair company has a wide total addressable market. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 The new term appears to hit a nerve, particularly among developers, who’ve seen the industry upended by the advent of powerful AI-powered coding software. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nerve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve

Noun

Avicii was hospitalized for health issues throughout his lifetime, and increased alcohol consumption to curb his anxiety led to acute pancreatitis and a gall bladder surgery.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
It was followed by oak galls, acorns, aspen buds and mushrooms.

— Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of gall

Noun

As her translator, Anedda’s thought, as well as some of her courage, became part of my existence in the long months such a project entails.

— Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
With their conceit, the clout chasers have turned his courage into a template without asking what made the original worth copying.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of courage

Noun

Grocery aisles are stacked with bars, shakes and powders that promise to fix your diet in one scoop.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Now whey protein is collected during the cheese-making process and lines grocery store aisles in the form of protein powders, shakes and bars.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of shakes

Verb

In the end, however, Mitić’s intrepid approach is undeniably bracing, and held together at its core by Kostić’s simmering performance.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
As reports of serious head injuries mounted, longtime riders of X2 took to internet forums to question the aging coaster’s increasingly jarring experience and give advice on how riders could brace themselves to avoid a concussion.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of brace

Noun

For Lomon, the decision was less about bravery than responsibility.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Harry’s next major public engagement will take place in London at the annual WellChild Awards, honoring the bravery and resilience of seriously ill children and their caretakers.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of bravery

Noun

Speaking to Julia Cunningham on her eponymous podcast, Adams says the moment when Cecile realizes her half-sister is the serial killer (while her mom was a plain ol’ one-off manslaughterer) still gives her the shivers.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
Judith claims to be a forensic accountant, but is actually a career assassin whose very name sends shivers of fear through her enemies and ones of excitement through her admirers.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Definition of shivers

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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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nerve

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing nerve

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

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Games & Quizzes