nerve-racking

adjective

nerve-rack·​ing ˈnərv-ˌra-kiŋ 

variants or nerve-wracking

: extremely trying on the nerves

a nerve-racking ordeal

The job interview was a nerve-racking experience.

Synonyms

• nervous
• tense
• anxious
• uneasy
• disturbing

Examples of nerve-racking in a Sentence

the nerve-racking wait to learn the identities of the passengers who were killed in the plane crash

Recent Examples on the Web

Robinson and Kanin actually have come up with an extremely quirky, often nerve-racking and occasionally gross depiction of 2025 as a time when clear communication is being replaced by misdirection, misinterpretation, AI customer service chats and a pervasive sense of loneliness. —Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Knowing which hospital to turn to if needed can feel nerve-racking for families. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025

The next few weeks will prove nerve-racking yet crucial. —Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

The man, who narrowly avoided a severe bear attack, gets to leave the frightening incident with a nerve-racking animal encounter story to share with his friends. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nerve-racking

• hydrocracking
• attacking
• backpacking
• backtracking
• hijacking
• kayaking
• meatpacking
• ransacking
• repacking
• unpacking
• backing
• blacking