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Definition of unnerving

unnerving

/ʌnˈnɜːr.vɪŋ/
un · nerv · ing
Adverb:unnervingly
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unnerving Lexical Profile

unnerving Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing one to lose courage, confidence, or self-control; disconcerting or unsettling.

Example

"The sudden silence in the crowded auditorium was deeply unnerving to the speaker."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for unnerving

• Nearby Words

unneighborliness
unneighborly
unnerve
unnerving
unnervingly
unnewsworthy
unnoted

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 18th century as the participial adjective of 'unnerve', combining the privative prefix 'un-' with 'nerve' (from Latin 'nervus', meaning 'sinew, vigor, or courage').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unnerving. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unnerving
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