nervy

adjective

ˈnər-vē How to pronounce nervy (audio)
nervier; nerviest
Synonyms of nervy
1
archaic : sinewy, strong
2
a
: showing or expressive of calm courage : bold
b
: marked by effrontery or presumption : brash
3
: excitable, nervous
nervily
ˈnər-və-lē How to pronounce nervy (audio)
adverb
nerviness
ˈnər-vē-nəs How to pronounce nervy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of nervy

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Examples of nervy in a Sentence

a nervy performance in the play-offs a nervy film director who's not afraid to take risks The passengers were restless and nervy after the long flight. Too much coffee makes me nervy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But days later, things felt far more tense and nervy. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Noonan plays Michael in the film with a quiet watchfulness that contrasts Jackie’s nervy, open wound of a woman played with emotive genius by Karen Sillas. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026 His serious, sometimes ponderous style is most vividly on display in Son of Saul, which uses the nervy technique of keeping the camera very close on one prisoner as hell is unleashed in the periphery. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026 At lunch, after 25 overs, were a nervy Henry Nicholls on 23 from 50 balls and Rachin Ravindra on 11 after a couple of exquisite boundaries. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nervy

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nervy was in 1598

Rhymes for nervy

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Browse Nearby Words

nervure
nervy
NES
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Cite this Entry

“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nervy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nervy

adjective
ˈnər-vē How to pronounce nervy (audio)
nervier; nerviest
1
a
: showing calm courage : fearless
b
: rudely bold
a nervy salesperson
2
: excitable sense 1, nervous
nerviness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on nervy

Nglish: Translation of nervy for Spanish Speakers

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