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
The Dallas Cowboys dropped a 24-20 nail-biter to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL season opener Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field.
—
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
The Chargers come into Hard Rock looking for revenge after a 36-34 nail-biter in Sept. 2023.
—Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
Across major corn-growing states, climate change is fueling conditions that make watching the corn grow a nail-biter for farmers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Louisville-area football fans saw some blowouts and some nail-biters Friday night.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
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Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
The Chargers come into Hard Rock looking for revenge after a 36-34 nail-biter in Sept. 2023.
—Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
Across major corn-growing states, climate change is fueling conditions that make watching the corn grow a nail-biter for farmers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Louisville-area football fans saw some blowouts and some nail-biters Friday night.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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