nail-biter
noun
nail-bit·er
ˈnāl-ˌbī-tər 
: something (such as a close contest) that induces tension or anxiety
Examples of nail-biter in a Sentence
a presidential election that was one of the great nail-biters of all time
Recent Examples on the Web
The outcomes ranged from nail-biters to decisive blowouts.
—
Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
In the final outstanding race for the U.S. House of Representatives, Merced Democrat Adam Gray ousted Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte in a nail-biter of a race in the Central Valley.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Los Angeles Rams 21, New Orleans Saints 14: The Rams pulled out a nail-biter, as Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi had his first loss and Taysom Hill was carted off the field.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
And on Sunday, to start the new week, the Rockets knocked off the Pistons in a nail-biter, 101-99.
—Rahat Huq, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nail-biter 
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.
Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
In the final outstanding race for the U.S. House of Representatives, Merced Democrat Adam Gray ousted Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte in a nail-biter of a race in the Central Valley.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Los Angeles Rams 21, New Orleans Saints 14: The Rams pulled out a nail-biter, as Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi had his first loss and Taysom Hill was carted off the field.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
And on Sunday, to start the new week, the Rockets knocked off the Pistons in a nail-biter, 101-99.
—Rahat Huq, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nail-biter
Dictionary Entries Near nail-biter
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nail-biter. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share