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

Example 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
  • On March 15, 2025, the family experienced the tense moments of watching a tornado form nearby but were fortunate enough to escape the worst.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • After three days of tense competition at the Regional Championships, the postseason field narrowed from 36 to 16.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.
    — DeArbea Walker, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.
    — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.
    — Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • The sight of a middle aged woman wearing a purple-and-yellow No. 77 Los Angeles Lakers jersey walking down Sunset Blvd. is still unsettling.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Most of them went by quickly enough to evade conscious perception, but the overall effect was unsettling.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • As the end of the sale nears, the company running things becomes more and more anxious to sell as much of the merchandise as possible.
    — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But all around the country, the next generation of doctors has been spending the past few days anxious to learn what awaits them after finishing medical school.
    — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • If people are scared and nervous, that in and of itself is harm.
    — Stephen Daw, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Dogs might feel scared and nervous or have separation anxiety while home alone.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Her absence has left USC fans stunned and the women’s college basketball world restless.
    — Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • In the titular novel, restless lumberjacks plan a dance under the condition that some of them will attend as women.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • But although the talented voice cast gives the characters humor and distinctive personalities, their CGI renderings are, well, a bit creepy, and less photorealistic than many of the cute woodland creatures that flock around Snow White.
    — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
  • As the storm sets in, Ana’s boss decides their unit needs to inspect the creepy old building to determine if the residents are, in fact, safe.
    — Scott Phillips, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
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.

Browse Nearby Words

nail-biters
nail-biting
nail (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Nail-biting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biting. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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