nerve-racking

adjective

ˈnərv-ˌra-kiŋ How to pronounce nerve-racking (audio)
variants or nerve-wracking
Definition of nerve-rackingnext
as in nervous
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings the nerve-racking wait to learn the identities of the passengers who were killed in the plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of nerve-racking Cumming admits this is the most nerve-racking thing to film. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 And the prospect of shaving it off was nerve-racking for the actress ,who also had to do it on camera. — Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Attending the 2024 Emmy Awards would be a nerve-racking experience for any celebrity guest—but for co-host Dan Levy, the stakes were that much higher. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2024 None? Superman’s nerve-racking choice, a typical comic-book scenario, epitomizes the woozy and weighty mood of multiversal fiction. — Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve-racking
  1. nervous
  2. tense
  3. anxious
  4. uneasy
  5. disturbing
Adjective
  • Dogs might feel scared and nervous or have separation anxiety while home alone.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
  • If people are scared and nervous, that in and of itself is harm.
    — Stephen Daw, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • This year — in the wake of California wildfires and a tense presidential inauguration — the need to escape felt even more pronounced.
    — Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • On Friday, another tense hearing between Judge Boasberg and Trump's Justice Department.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of tense
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
  • The whole exchange left Brooke feeling a little uneasy.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • And of course, various consumer surveys have showed that Americans are feeling uneasy.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN, 14 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

Browse Nearby Words

nervelessly
nerve-racking
nerves
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Cite this Entry

“Nerve-racking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve-racking. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of nerve-racking for Spanish Speakers

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