Synonyms of nail-biting

nail-biting

adjective

as in tense

marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings

for a couple of nail-biting moments we thought that we had actually won the mega lottery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tense
• uneasy
• disturbing
• unsettling
• anxious
• nervous
• restless
• distressing
• unnerving
• creepy
• distressful
• fraught
• disquieting
• nerve-racking
• worrisome
• agitating
• embarrassing
• hairy
• troublesome
• strained
• awkward
• discouraging
• bothersome
• foreboding
• disheartening
• misgiving
• unrestful
• restive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• quiet
• comfortable
• peaceful
• tranquil
• calming
• restful
• quieting
• pacific

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nail-biting

Monday’s audience was a daytime homecoming, with the natural espadrille wedges supplying a more casual finish following a nail-biting World Cup victory for Spain. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

The nail-biting finish when Egypt almost knocked out Argentina? — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2026

Spain defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a nail-biting World Cup final at MetLife Stadium Sunday. — Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026

After drawing with Egypt, Australia's fate came down to a nail-biting penalty shootout. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 July 2026

In the Sparks’ previous matchup against the Storm a month ago, the two had totaled 34 points in the nail-biting 88-83 win. — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

And after the nail-biting first finish, game two was shaping up to be just as close, with the pair going shot-for-shot until Chris Allen gave the Riot a 17-12 advantage — the largest of the matchup so far. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Both teams are coming off nail-biting victories, with Canada scoring in injury time to snatch a 1-0 win from South Africa, and Morocco beating the Netherlands on penalties after trailing 0-1 in the game until the 90th minute. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026

After a nail-biting game where Cape Verde and Argentina went into extra time and were deadlocked until the last few minutes, Argentine fans at the FIFA Fan Fest downtown in Miami launched out of their seats when their team finally won. — Delia Sauer, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026