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
Adjective
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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
Adjective
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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
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But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
Adjective
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And for people who value stability, control or routine, that kind of change can feel deeply unsettling.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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There’s also the strange, silent, cubic villagers with long rectangular noses who are deeply unsettling, not to mention the square pigs.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Not that Wendlinger is anxious for her time with the Mustangs to end.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
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Friday, a government report showed that the U.S. labor market held up better than expected in March despite the federal government’s layoffs, the crackdown on immigrants, and surveys showing that consumers and businesses are increasingly anxious about the economy.—
Josh Fellman,
Quartz,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This causes folks to be nervous, which triggers a lack in consumer confidence.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2025
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The unemployment rate is pretty low at the moment, but under the hood Americans sure are nervous about the job market.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Wall Street has started to get restless as the clock keeps ticking.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
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Starr will get restless in a month and come running back.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Also, point to Epic Universe for Curse of the Werewolf's natural blend into the creepy Dark Universe theming.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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What about that wily junk dealer, or the creepy cemetery?—
Kevin Purdy,
ArsTechnica,
5 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Nail-biting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biting. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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