unnerving
/ˌʌnˈnɜːvɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ənˈɚvɪŋ] /ˌʌnˈnɜːrvɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [ənˈɚvɪŋ] /ˌən-ˈnərv How to pronounce unnerve (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unnerving — adjective
- unnervingpositive
- more unnervingcomparative
- most unnervingsuperlative
1. making a person feel uneasy, less sure of themselves, and slightly afraid
making a person feel uneasy, less sure of themselves, and slightly afraid
The long silence after the judge's question was deeply unnerving for Hao.
collocation: deeply unnerving
It was unnerving to hear footsteps behind Nala in the empty tunnel.
it is unnerving + to-infinitive
Christopher found the pilot's calm smile unnerving during the rough landing.
An unnerving crack came from the ceiling above Rania's bed at midnight.
- disturbing
stronger and often suggests something morally or emotionally troubling
- unsettling
close in meaning, but often points to a lingering loss of ease rather than a sharp jolt
- alarming
stronger and more clearly connected to danger or bad news
- creepy
more informal and usually linked to something strange or frightening
- reassuring
makes someone feel safer or less worried
- calming
reduces tension and helps someone feel peaceful again
文法句型
be unnerving
it is unnerving + to-infinitive
find + noun + unnerving
an unnerving + noun
用法筆記
The subject is usually a thing, event, sound, or expression that makes a person uneasy. Use unnerved, not unnerving, for the person's own state: 'Hao felt unnerved,' not 'Hao felt unnerving.'
常見錯誤
unnerving — verb
- unnervingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unnervings3rd person singular
- unnervinging-ing form
- unnervingedpast simple
1. to make someone feel nervous, uncomfortable, or upset
to make someone feel nervous, uncomfortable, or upset
The way the dog kept staring at Élise unnerved her on the walk home.
odd behaviour as the subject
A low buzzing sound in the hotel room unnerved Heather all night.
The nurse's silence after the test unnerved Eitan more than the pain.
Dark windows in the abandoned bus unnerved Hui as the storm grew.
文法句型
something unnerves someone
用法筆記
The cause is often silence, a stare, a strange sound, or some other detail that makes a person feel uneasy. Unlike sense 2, this sense does not require the person to lose control in a public or high-pressure moment.
常見錯誤
2. to make someone lose courage or steady control, especially when they need it mos
to make someone lose courage or steady control, especially when they need it most
The captain's angry stare unnerved Diego before the penalty kick.
pressure moment: unnerved before performance
Boos from the crowd unnerved Vikram, and his speech lost its rhythm.
A sudden flash from the camera unnerved the witness on the stand.
The goalkeeper was unnerved by the early goal and missed two catches.
- rattle
more informal and vivid; suggests a sudden hit to confidence
- disconcert
more formal; emphasizes throwing someone off mentally
- shake
broader; can refer to confidence, belief, or emotional steadiness
文法句型
something unnerves someone
be unnerved by something
用法筆記
This sense often appears in sport, public speaking, or other high-pressure moments where someone loses steadiness at a key point. It is stronger and more performance-focused than sense 1, which can describe general nervous discomfort without a visible drop in control.