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.
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
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
Zero computer intervention is fun, without a doubt, but also a little nerve-racking when small drifts of gravel dot the road and undulations in the asphalt can cause momentary losses in traction.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
To make for a more energy efficient and less nerve-racking exodus experience, once the line grows large enough, pulsing begins, wherein vehicles move in packs rather than lurch along at 5 mph.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
With a meditation tape on and old nightmares in his head, the images flicker between ocean waves and nerve-racking curves, from zen calm to zen focus.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
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Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Zero computer intervention is fun, without a doubt, but also a little nerve-racking when small drifts of gravel dot the road and undulations in the asphalt can cause momentary losses in traction.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
To make for a more energy efficient and less nerve-racking exodus experience, once the line grows large enough, pulsing begins, wherein vehicles move in packs rather than lurch along at 5 mph.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
With a meditation tape on and old nightmares in his head, the images flicker between ocean waves and nerve-racking curves, from zen calm to zen focus.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
Cite this Entry
“Nerve-racking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve-racking. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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