as in tense
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
for a couple of nail-biting moments we thought that we had actually won the mega lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biting
Adjective
-
Jones, still vigorous at seventy-two, moves through space with ferocious intent while conjuring stories from the past: early dance sensations, tense interactions with the legendary Ailey, and clashes with critics who tried to box him in as a Black artist.—
Shauna Lyon,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025 -
The removal occurred during a tense exchange between Trump and Zelensky.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The resolution is seeking $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, measures that have met opposition from Democrats and made some Republicans uneasy.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
In my conversations with barbecue people, there was often uneasy tension about whether craft barbecue is something new or a return to an old way of doing things.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
These findings should be deeply disturbing to Western policymakers, for at least two reasons.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices is disturbing.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As she’s taken away, Evie locks eyes with Danny and smiles in a way that is incredibly unsettling.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The 5-3-2 formation worked, captain Jarrod Bowen led by example, Mohammed Kudus was everywhere and West Ham turned a potentially unsettling afternoon into an affirmation of their character and togetherness.—
Roshane Thomas,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
While many companies rapidly integrate AI, this data reveals a growing disconnect: employees are increasingly anxious about its impact.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
But raising cash remains a challenge for some, with investors anxious about startups courting enough customers for healthy returns, Pershad said.—
Liang Lei,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Some Trump advisers were nervous the deal might go south before the ceremonial signing, but felt confident by the time Mr. Trump greeted Zelenskyy.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Become The Best Operator Of New AI Tools Don’t be nervous about AI.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The restless mass of the glacier, constantly on the move, regularly sent atomic blasts down the ridge.—
Cassidy Randall,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Malnourished people are restless people, searching far and wide for a better life.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Then there’s a positively creepy Austin Butler as chilling bad guy Feyd-Rautha.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
-
In a creepy ad for the device online, Friend watches TV with its user and texts her its thoughts on the show.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biting. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share