white-knuckle

adjective

white-knuck·​le ˈ(h)wīt-ˈnə-kəl How to pronounce white-knuckle (audio)
variants or less commonly white-knuckled
ˈ(h)wīt-ˈnə-kəld How to pronounce white-knuckle (audio)
: marked by, causing, or experiencing tense nervousness
a white-knuckle ride on a roller coaster
a white-knuckle passenger
white-knuckler
ˈ(h)wīt-ˈnə-k(ə-)lər How to pronounce white-knuckle (audio)
noun
plural white-knucklers
The 65-mile speedway connecting Vancouver and the mountain town of Whistler was a white-knuckler for decades. —Christian DeBenedetti

Examples of white-knuckle in a Sentence

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.
Do not white-knuckle through this alone. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 This all makes great set dressing for the races, which are white-knuckle intense. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 Up in the stars, two brave souls white-knuckle their way around maneuvers that might doom them as easily as save them. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026 The final few minutes were white-knuckle basketball with the lead changing several times. — David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for white-knuckle

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-knuckle was in 1872

Rhymes for white-knuckle

See All Rhymes for white-knuckle

Browse Nearby Words

white knight
white-knuckle
white label
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“White-knuckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-knuckle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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