as in thrillers
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
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Recent Examples of nail-biters
Key said Kentucky has been in enough nail-biters under Brooks that the players have learned to handle those challenges.
—
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
There's been thrillers, nail-biters, and a couple of upsets in the men's tournament.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Micelotta / Disney The race for best actor was one of the night’s true nail-biters.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
But winning fewer than 40% of those nail-biters is the stuff that can become a habit.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Even long-term nail-biters, or those whose nails are prone to breakage, tend to have success with growth.
—Tori Crowther, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
For the gym-goers and habitual nail-biters in your life, this is an essential gift.
—The Editors, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
As spooky season approaches, there’s no better time than now to revisit these classic nail-biters—and revel in their impeccable period styling.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
Louisville-area football fans saw some blowouts and some nail-biters Friday night.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
There's been thrillers, nail-biters, and a couple of upsets in the men's tournament.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Micelotta / Disney The race for best actor was one of the night’s true nail-biters.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
But winning fewer than 40% of those nail-biters is the stuff that can become a habit.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Even long-term nail-biters, or those whose nails are prone to breakage, tend to have success with growth.
—Tori Crowther, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
For the gym-goers and habitual nail-biters in your life, this is an essential gift.
—The Editors, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
As spooky season approaches, there’s no better time than now to revisit these classic nail-biters—and revel in their impeccable period styling.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
Louisville-area football fans saw some blowouts and some nail-biters Friday night.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biters
thrillers
Noun
-
In 1963 Alfred Hitchcock released The Birds, one of his most iconic thrillers.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Unger, who lives in Clearwater, has a reputation for solid stand-alone thrillers that have landed on bestseller lists, with unusual plots and unconventional motives shrouded in dark-but-not-oppressive atmospheres.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biters. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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