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
That scoring play ended up being the game-winning one in a 31-28 nail-biter against the top team in the NFC.
—
Mike Kaye
december 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
The Catholic Conference rivals had recently met on Thanksgiving, with the Hawks winning a 21-18 nail-biter.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
That scorigami-generating Sunday Night Football nail-biter beat out even the Chiefs-Cowboys Thanksgiving showdown, which drew record TV ratings but ranked just sixth in terms of Kalshi volume.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The New Jersey natives (and Giants fans) whip through various photo setups and ask for the score even when the answer hurts (the Giants lost to the Broncos in a 33-32 nail-biter).
—Andrea Lavinthal, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
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Mike Kaye
december 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
The Catholic Conference rivals had recently met on Thanksgiving, with the Hawks winning a 21-18 nail-biter.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
That scorigami-generating Sunday Night Football nail-biter beat out even the Chiefs-Cowboys Thanksgiving showdown, which drew record TV ratings but ranked just sixth in terms of Kalshi volume.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The New Jersey natives (and Giants fans) whip through various photo setups and ask for the score even when the answer hurts (the Giants lost to the Broncos in a 33-32 nail-biter).
—Andrea Lavinthal, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
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 15 Dec. 2025.
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