WordValeunnerved
deprived of courage or confidence
In more detail
1. (adjective) made to feel nervous, anxious, or lacking confidence
2. (adjective) disturbed or frightened by something unexpected or shocking
Examples
- 1. The difficult exam unnerved some students, making them lose focus.
- 2. She was unnerved by the sudden loud noise outside her window.
How to use unnerved
Unnerved describes a state of emotional disturbance caused by something that disrupts one's confidence or peace of mind. It is slightly more formal and literary than casual synonyms like 'rattled' and often suggests a lingering sense of discomfort rather than mere momentary surprise. It frequently appears in narrative contexts to convey psychological impact.
Common phrases
- completely unnerved
- deeply unnerved
- unnerved by the news
- unnerved by his tone
- visibly unnerved
Synonyms
unsettled · disconcerted · flustered · rattled · shaken
Opposites
composed · calm · confident
Word family
unnerve (verb) · nerve (verb/noun) · nervy (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 'unnerved' with 'unmoved' or 'unperturbed', which mean the opposite—to be unaffected rather than emotionally disturbed.
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