nerve-racking
adjective
nerve-rack·ing
ˈnərv-ˌra-kiŋ 
variants
or nerve-wracking
: extremely trying on the nerves
a nerve-racking ordeal
The job interview was a nerve-racking experience.
Synonyms
Examples of nerve-racking in a Sentence
the nerve-racking wait to learn the identities of the passengers who were killed in the plane crash
Recent Examples on the Web
So yes, just another nerve-racking day in the neighborhood for our fair chefs.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
Or maybe a nerve-racking thing, depending on your perspective.
—Envelope Staff, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024
The song wades in one of the recurring themes of Vandross’s life and music: the nerve-racking challenge of throwing oneself into a romance.
—Ross Scarano, New York Times, 5 June 2024
Hoop Dreams has some nerve-racking sports scenes — has a free throw ever been more momentous?
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2024
The nerve-racking scenario takes hold of one’s anxieties and sets the tone for an unsettling ride, which IFC will release theatrically before the film streams on Shudder.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Reese Witherspoon has special memories from the set of Friends but admits being on the iconic set was a nerve-racking experience.
—Mia McNiece, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
For a nerve-racking month, Shady al-Hasoumy said, the family feared the worst for his 10-year-old nephew Yousef.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
If that feels nerve-racking for you, start with small steps.
—Adunola Adeshola, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
Or maybe a nerve-racking thing, depending on your perspective.
—Envelope Staff, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024
The song wades in one of the recurring themes of Vandross’s life and music: the nerve-racking challenge of throwing oneself into a romance.
—Ross Scarano, New York Times, 5 June 2024
Hoop Dreams has some nerve-racking sports scenes — has a free throw ever been more momentous?
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2024
The nerve-racking scenario takes hold of one’s anxieties and sets the tone for an unsettling ride, which IFC will release theatrically before the film streams on Shudder.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Reese Witherspoon has special memories from the set of Friends but admits being on the iconic set was a nerve-racking experience.
—Mia McNiece, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
For a nerve-racking month, Shady al-Hasoumy said, the family feared the worst for his 10-year-old nephew Yousef.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
If that feels nerve-racking for you, start with small steps.
—Adunola Adeshola, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerve-racking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nerve-racking
Cite this Entry
“Nerve-racking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve-racking. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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