nail-biting

adjective

Definition of nail-bitingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biting
  1. tense
  2. uneasy
  3. disturbing
  4. unsettling
  5. anxious
  6. nervous
  7. restless
  8. creepy
Adjective
  • Unexpected expenses due to project complexities or vendor limitations can lead to tense conversations and project stalls.
    Ashar Samdani, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
  • During the preliminary round, the two teams played in a tense battle that needed overtime for just one goal, which Team USA won 1-0.
    Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • But the series also revealed an uneasy disconnect between the British public and the media.
    Katie Marie Davies, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Sinner and Alcaraz have had some superb matches – the China Open was one ATP tour final for the ages – but there's an uneasy chasm to jump between the end of the Big Four Era and the wave of Next Gen talent.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Warning: Some of the following images are graphic in nature and might be disturbing to some viewers.
    TIME Photo Department, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
  • That righteous, above-the-law mentality takes hold of him during a crucial moment late in the disturbing case.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • And Robert Zemeckis' 2009 take featuring Jim Carrey is noteworthy for a few reasons: Not only are the ghosts downright terrifying, but the animation style is also unsettling, and may scare you for all the wrong reasons.
    Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
  • In addition to this unsettling experience, Robbins shared with Newsweek a moment of unexpected kindness during her return flight.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • Glumly marching to the stage, Wallen appears to tune out the anxious producer’s notes about looking at the camera and remembering to smile.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2024
  • In contrast, those with anxious attachment styles may become overly focused on caregiving as a way to gain approval or security in the relationship.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • The man who appears in her cozy home is reserved and nervous (he’s played by H. Jon Benjamin, offering the rare and welcome dramatic turn for the comedian and voice actor).
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025
  • There was a nervous wait before David broke the news that Ten Hag was being kept on and then Laurie and Adam launched their big read with some remarkable details of the talks the club had held with other managers before deciding to stick with Ten Hag.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Bringing García back makes sense for the Blue Jays, who need to rebuild a depleted bullpen, but his addition doesn’t move the needle for a restless fan base.
    Kaitlyn McGrath, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Image On a recent muggy Saturday morning, a few dozen people — from restless children and lanky teenagers to men and women in their 50s and 60s — flocked to the shady overpass.
    María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • Jiraiya Look, yes, Jiraiya is a bit of a creepy weirdo, but as a mentor for Naruto, there really couldn't be a better choice.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
  • There was big creepy marketing push and sarcophagus popcorn tins sold out fast.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
Definition of creepy
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near nail-biting

nail-biters

nail-biting

nail (down)

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Nail-biting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biting. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

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