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
Frostad did so by nailing the nose butter — but with a physics-defying twist of his own — on all three of his jumps of a snowy freeskiing nail-biter on the big hill Tuesday night.
—
ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
The game was a rematch of an early-season thriller at the Garden City Classic, which Catholic Memorial (11-8) won in a 69-64 nail-biter.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For those who rely on snow for their livelihoods, every ski season is a nail-biter.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 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
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
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ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
The game was a rematch of an early-season thriller at the Garden City Classic, which Catholic Memorial (11-8) won in a 69-64 nail-biter.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For those who rely on snow for their livelihoods, every ski season is a nail-biter.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 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
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 23 Feb. 2026.
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