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
A week after Election Day, more than a handful of local races remain real nail-biters.
—
Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 12 Nov. 2024
Their lone defeat came in a Week 3 nail-biter to Columbine when the Rebels hit the game-winning field goal with 12 seconds left.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
Still, the presidential race is expected to the biggest nail-biter and the one where results could take the longest (as long as Richmond's mayoral election doesn't head to a runoff).
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
This holiday season may be a nail-biter for some retailers.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nail-biter 
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Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 12 Nov. 2024
Their lone defeat came in a Week 3 nail-biter to Columbine when the Rebels hit the game-winning field goal with 12 seconds left.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
Still, the presidential race is expected to the biggest nail-biter and the one where results could take the longest (as long as Richmond's mayoral election doesn't head to a runoff).
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
This holiday season may be a nail-biter for some retailers.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 5 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 23 Nov. 2024.
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