unnerve
UK: ʌnˈnɜːv | US: ʌnˈnɜːrv
vt. to make someone lose confidence or courage
vt. to cause someone to feel nervous or uneasy
The word "unnerve" combines the prefix "un-" (Old English "un-," meaning "not" or "reverse") with the root "nerve" (from Latin "nervus," meaning "sinew, strength, or courage"). Originally, "nerve" referred to physical strength or vigor, but by the 17th century, it evolved to denote mental fortitude. Adding "un-" reverses the meaning, creating a verb that describes the act of weakening someone’s confidence or resolve. The logic is straightforward: to "unnerve" is to strip away the "nerve" (courage) someone possesses.
The sudden loud noise unnerved the audience.
His calm demeanor unnerved his opponents.
The eerie silence of the abandoned house unnerved her.
Failing the first test unnerved the usually confident student.
The detective’s intense stare unnerved the suspect.