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
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Recent Examples of nail-biter
Even long-term nail-biters, or those whose nails are prone to breakage, tend to have success with growth.
—
Tori Crowther, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
For the second time this season, the Sea View League opponents provided a nail-biter.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
The vote itself is a nail-biter among Colton, Lisa, and Ron — with Rob stuck with a real Sophie’s Choice.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Buffalo knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 27-24 nail-biter to reach the divisional round for a sixth straight year.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Tori Crowther, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
For the second time this season, the Sea View League opponents provided a nail-biter.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
The vote itself is a nail-biter among Colton, Lisa, and Ron — with Rob stuck with a real Sophie’s Choice.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Buffalo knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 27-24 nail-biter to reach the divisional round for a sixth straight year.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biter
thriller
Noun
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The sci-fi thriller follows junior high teacher Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling), who wakes from a coma alone on a spaceship.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
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Microdramas are associated with low-cost romance, but producers are now expanding into thrillers and true crime and adapting premium IP, added GammaTime’s Alex Montalvo.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biter. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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