unnerved


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un·nerve

 (ŭn-nûrv′)
tr.v. un·nerved, un·nerv·ing, un·nerves
To cause to lose courage or firmness of purpose: "It unnerved him to think that she would be at the supper-table, looking up at him while he spoke with her critical quizzing eyes" (James Joyce).

un·nerv′ing·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

unnerved

(ʌnˈnɜːvd)
adj
deprived of courage, strength, confidence, self-control, etc
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.unnerved - deprived of courage and strengthunnerved - deprived of courage and strength; "the steeplejack, exhausted and unnerved, couldn't hold on to his dangerous perch much longer"
afraid - filled with fear or apprehension; "afraid even to turn his head"; "suddenly looked afraid"; "afraid for his life"; "afraid of snakes"; "afraid to ask questions"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in classic literature ?
Bitterly disappointed, humiliated, inexpressibly hurt and altogether unnerved, the soldier dropped upon a rustic seat in deep dejection, supporting his head upon his trembling hand.
So unnerved was he at the sight that he leaned up against the wall with his hand to his throat to stifle his inclination to call out.
For more than two hours afterward I thought almost every moment that the next would be my last; for the Taugwalders, utterly unnerved, were not only incapable of giving assistance, but were in such a state that a slip might have been expected from them at any moment.
He had been so completely unnerved that his hair was wet with perspiration.
What was it--I paused to think--what was it that so unnerved me in the contemplation of the House of Usher?
It was pitiful to see a creature so terrified, so unnerved, so demoralized.
The thought that I was not going to play for myself quite unnerved me.
The fact is that I am quite upset and unnerved by all that has happened in this terrible night.
But as a youth in love trembles, is unnerved, and dares not utter the thoughts he has dreamed of for nights, but looks around for help or a chance of delay and flight when the longed-for moment comes and he is alone with her, so Rostov, now that he had attained what he had longed for more than anything else in the world, did not know how to approach the Emperor, and a thousand reasons occurred to him why it would be inconvenient, unseemly, and impossible to do so.
No; she felt a little unnerved by the railway journey, and that was all.
So horrible a cry I had never heard nor conceived; it utterly unnerved me; I was conscious for a moment of nothing but my own terror!
alas!" he cried, all unnerved at the sight, "why is it that you are so sad, lady?"