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
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
Louisville-area football fans saw some blowouts and some nail-biters Friday night.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
The plan looked genius early in the season, when the Giants were winning nail-biters, walking off games with Little League and inside-the-park home runs and Wilmer Flores’ clutch hitting.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
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
Louisville-area football fans saw some blowouts and some nail-biters Friday night.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
The plan looked genius early in the season, when the Giants were winning nail-biters, walking off games with Little League and inside-the-park home runs and Wilmer Flores’ clutch hitting.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biters
thrillers
Noun
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There are the thrillers — take Good American Family, based upon the case of Natalia Grace; or Under the Banner of Heaven, a gripping exploration of a double murder and its connection to religion; or Under the Bridge, about the 1997 slaying of a 14-year-old girl.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
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Spy thrillers have often included characters with multiple passports to evoke drama and suspense.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biters. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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