SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

nerve-racking

play

adjective nerve-rack·ing \ ˈnərv-ˌra-kiŋ \

variants: or nerve-wracking

Definition of nerve-racking

:extremely trying on the nerves

a nerve-racking ordeal

The job interview was a nerve-racking experience.

See nerve-racking defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of nerve-racking

1812

nerve-racking Synonyms

Synonyms

agitating, anxious, creepy, disquieting, distressful, distressing, disturbing, fraught, hairy, nail-biting, nerve-racking (or nerve-wracking), restless, tense, uneasy, unnerving, unsettling, worrisome

Antonyms

calming, comfortable, easy, peaceful, quiet, quieting, tranquil

Related Words

bothersome, troublesome; foreboding, misgiving; discouraging, disheartening, strained; restive, restless, unrestful; awkward, embarrassing

Near Antonyms

restful; pacific

NERVE-RACKING Defined for English Language Learners

nerve-racking

play

adjective

Definition of nerve-racking for English Language Learners

: causing a person to feel very nervous

Learn More about nerve-racking

See words that rhyme with nerve-racking Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nerve-racking Nglish: Translation of nerve-racking for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up nerve-racking? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

anathematize

play

to curse or denounce

BROWSE DICTIONARY

nervelet

nerve net

nerve-racking

nerve ring

nerveroot

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59c94ad823f29

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

They're real, but is meat the cause?

alt-59c919f342079

'Diffuse' vs. 'Defuse'

Let us defuse the situation.

alt-59c52d6ee2f72

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

The word's origins are quite literal

alt-59c4207ecf106

Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz

stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Citation

Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?

Play the game