nail-biter

noun

nail-bit·​er ˈnāl-ˌbī-tər How to pronounce nail-biter (audio)
: something (such as a close contest) that induces tension or anxiety
nail-biting adjective

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
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.
Luke Isaak, San Ramon Valley basketball: The senior scored 33 points and 14 rebounds as SRV took down Oakland Tech 77-74 in an overtime nail-biter. Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025 The contest was a nail-biter the whole way, with no lead exceeding double digits. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025 The latest is Hulu’s Paradise, which is a real nail-biter from start to finish. Dana Feldman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 But her 2024 election to the Senate was, if possible, even more of a nail-biter. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nail-biter

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nail-biter was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nail-biter. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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