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
Malonga played for France in 2024 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal after losing a nail-biter game to the U.S.
—
Grace Harrington, People.com, 19 May 2025
The University of Miami lost by 1 point against Iowa State in a 42-41 nail-biter.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 11 May 2025
The movie veers from character study and brother bonding to an action nail-biter.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Apr. 2025
The fourth rotation was a nail-biter for both fan bases.
—Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
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Grace Harrington, People.com, 19 May 2025
The University of Miami lost by 1 point against Iowa State in a 42-41 nail-biter.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 11 May 2025
The movie veers from character study and brother bonding to an action nail-biter.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Apr. 2025
The fourth rotation was a nail-biter for both fan bases.
—Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 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 28 May. 2025.
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