as in thriller
something (as a close contest) that induces much suspense as to its outcome
a presidential election that was one of the great nail-biters of all time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nail-biter
House Democratic leaders are slated to hold a press conference as their counterparts in the Senate face down a nail-biter vote on government funding.
—
The Hill Staff, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
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 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
The Hill Staff, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biter
Noun
-
The Premise The period thriller takes place over one hog-wild, then harrowing day and night in October 1932, as the Smokestack twins — Smoke and Stack, played by Michael B. Jordan — return to their hometown in the Mississippi Delta to open a juke joint.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Warner Bros has just set plans to revamp ‘The Bodyguard,’ the 1992 romantic drama thriller that teamed superstars Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biter. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share