as in thrillers
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-biters
The Avs, who won the President’s Trophy with the league’s best regular-season record, opened the playoffs with a pair of 2-1 nail-biters over the Kings.
—
ABC News, 4 May 2026
The Music Box continues its series celebrating nail-biters centered on prison breaks.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
There's been thrillers, nail-biters, and a couple of upsets in the men's tournament.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Micelotta / Disney The race for best actor was one of the night’s true nail-biters.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
But winning fewer than 40% of those nail-biters is the stuff that can become a habit.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
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 gym-goers and habitual nail-biters in your life, this is an essential gift.
—The Editors, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
As spooky season approaches, there’s no better time than now to revisit these classic nail-biters—and revel in their impeccable period styling.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
ABC News, 4 May 2026
The Music Box continues its series celebrating nail-biters centered on prison breaks.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
There's been thrillers, nail-biters, and a couple of upsets in the men's tournament.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Micelotta / Disney The race for best actor was one of the night’s true nail-biters.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
But winning fewer than 40% of those nail-biters is the stuff that can become a habit.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
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 gym-goers and habitual nail-biters in your life, this is an essential gift.
—The Editors, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
As spooky season approaches, there’s no better time than now to revisit these classic nail-biters—and revel in their impeccable period styling.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biters
thrillers
Noun
-
In 2014 McFadden published what would be the first of numerous thrillers.—
Laura Payne,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
-
Most Southern gardeners have their vegetable garden planted, summer annuals in the ground and already blooming, containers set with thrillers, fillers, and spillers, the lawn fertilized, and their mowing routine down.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biters. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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