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
Examples of nerve-racking in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The nerve-racking scenario takes hold of one’s anxieties and sets the tone for an unsettling ride, which IFC will release theatrically before the film streams on Shudder.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Reese Witherspoon has special memories from the set of Friends but admits being on the iconic set was a nerve-racking experience.
—Mia McNiece, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
For a nerve-racking month, Shady al-Hasoumy said, the family feared the worst for his 10-year-old nephew Yousef.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
If that feels nerve-racking for you, start with small steps.
—Adunola Adeshola, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The attention was thrilling and nerve-racking for Van Pelt, who had been a stay-at-home mother and was unaccustomed to making public appearances.
—Alexandra Alter, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2023
Quitting can be both nerve-racking and adrenaline boosting.
—Samantha Leal, Glamour, 25 Dec. 2023
Ballet recitals can be nerve-racking for little ballerinas, but this dad made sure his daughter's first performance went perfectly.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2023
Harvey tells Rolling Stone that that anticipation was the most nerve-racking part of performing in the Birthday Party.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2023
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Reese Witherspoon has special memories from the set of Friends but admits being on the iconic set was a nerve-racking experience.
—Mia McNiece, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
For a nerve-racking month, Shady al-Hasoumy said, the family feared the worst for his 10-year-old nephew Yousef.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
If that feels nerve-racking for you, start with small steps.
—Adunola Adeshola, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The attention was thrilling and nerve-racking for Van Pelt, who had been a stay-at-home mother and was unaccustomed to making public appearances.
—Alexandra Alter, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2023
Quitting can be both nerve-racking and adrenaline boosting.
—Samantha Leal, Glamour, 25 Dec. 2023
Ballet recitals can be nerve-racking for little ballerinas, but this dad made sure his daughter's first performance went perfectly.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2023
Harvey tells Rolling Stone that that anticipation was the most nerve-racking part of performing in the Birthday Party.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerve-racking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nerve-racking
Cite this Entry
“Nerve-racking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve-racking. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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