Unnerve

Pronunciation: /ʌnˈnɜrv/

Definitions of unnerve

verb to make someone feel anxious or frightened, typically causing them to lose confidence or courage

Example Sentences

A1 The loud noise from the fireworks unnerved the dog.

A2 Being alone in a dark room can unnerve some people.

B1 The unexpected news unnerve her, causing her to feel anxious.

B2 The eerie silence of the abandoned house unnerve the group of explorers.

C1 The uncertainty of the future unnerve him, leading to sleepless nights.

C2 The sinister smile on his face unnerve even the most seasoned detectives.

Examples of unnerve in a Sentence

formal The unexpected news seemed to unnerve the investors during the board meeting.

informal The creepy noise coming from the attic always manages to unnerve me.

slang The horror movie was so intense, it totally unnerved me.

figurative The thought of failing the exam unnerves me to the core.

Grammatical Forms of unnerve

• past tense: unnerved
• plural: unnerves
• comparative: more unnerving
• superlative: most unnerving
• present tense: unnerves
• future tense: will unnerve
• perfect tense: has unnerved
• continuous tense: is unnerving
• singular: unnerves
• positive degree: unnerving
• infinitive: unnerve
• gerund: unnerving
• participle: unnerved

Origin and Evolution of unnerve

First Known Use: 0014 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'unnerve' originated from Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'unnervian' which meant to deprive of strength or courage.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'unnerve' has retained its original meaning of causing someone to lose courage or confidence, but it has also taken on a broader sense of causing fear or anxiety in general.