as in thriller
something (as a close contest) that induces much suspense as to its outcome
a presidential election that was one of the great nail-biters of all time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nail-biter
Bailey hears that theme from consumers who just aren’t in the mood for any more nail-biters.
—
Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The Musical Nicole Scherzinger — Sunset Blvd. Jennifer Simard — Death Becomes Her
Everyone’s favorite category is even more of a nail-biter than usual!
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 June 2025
The team that started 5-0 while dominating Major League Rugby has slipped up down the stretch, losing matches like last week’s nail-biter at Seattle.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
For the Bengals, the Ravens matchup has been a tough one: Cincinnati has lost each of the past three games, including last year’s nail-biter, 35-34.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The Musical Nicole Scherzinger — Sunset Blvd. Jennifer Simard — Death Becomes Her
Everyone’s favorite category is even more of a nail-biter than usual!
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 June 2025
The team that started 5-0 while dominating Major League Rugby has slipped up down the stretch, losing matches like last week’s nail-biter at Seattle.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
For the Bengals, the Ravens matchup has been a tough one: Cincinnati has lost each of the past three games, including last year’s nail-biter, 35-34.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biter
thriller
Noun
-
Each movie will be 45-52 minutes in length and cover such genres as comedies and thrillers.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
-
Gaumont is known for producing Netflix’s thriller series Lupin, which premiered in January 2021, before the rules were in place.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biter. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share