nail-biter
noun
nail-bit·er
ˈnāl-ˌbī-tər 
: something (such as a close contest) that induces tension or anxiety
Examples of nail-biter in a Sentence
a presidential election that was one of the great nail-biters of all time
Recent Examples on the Web
Coming off a win in Friday’s nail-biter, Brasher and Cruz clinched a 15-10 win in set one off a late surge, finishing on a 6-1 run.
—
Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
The game was a nail-biter, with the Knicks trailing the Spurs by nearly 30 points at the first half, only to come back in the second half and win in the last minute of the game by one point.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Not every matchup has been a nail-biter.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Although there have been hundreds of close calls and nail-biters, there have been some comebacks that feel like a movie come to life.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
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Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
The game was a nail-biter, with the Knicks trailing the Spurs by nearly 30 points at the first half, only to come back in the second half and win in the last minute of the game by one point.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Not every matchup has been a nail-biter.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Although there have been hundreds of close calls and nail-biters, there have been some comebacks that feel like a movie come to life.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nail-biter. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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