C2verbemotionspsychology
US/ʌnˈnɜːrv/
UK/ʌnˈnɜːv/
to make someone feel nervous, afraid or less confident
In context
The sudden noise in the empty house began to unnerve her.
Nothing seemed to unnerve the pilot, even during the storm.
The long silence on the phone unnerved me more than any angry words.
Words that go with unnerve
verb + preposition
- be unnerved byShe was unnerved by the quiet in the building.
- seemed to unnerveNothing seemed to unnerve the old captain, even in a storm.
adverb + adjective
- completely unnervedThe anonymous phone call left her completely unnerved.
- visibly unnervedThe minister was visibly unnerved by the reporter's question.
- deeply unnervedMany residents were deeply unnerved by the series of break-ins.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I was unnerve by the news.Correct: I was unnerved by the news.