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
Wisconsin made adjustments in the second half to outscore the U 50-40 to win a nail-biter.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Senior captain Elle Orlando finished with 23 points, as Notre Dame (Hingham) (6-3) defeated Marblehead in a nail-biter, 43-39.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
What started as a blowout turned into a nail-biter.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
And 49ers fans, new and old, did not leave the stadium disappointed watching their team pull out a nail-biter in the waning moments 38-42.
—Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Senior captain Elle Orlando finished with 23 points, as Notre Dame (Hingham) (6-3) defeated Marblehead in a nail-biter, 43-39.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
What started as a blowout turned into a nail-biter.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
And 49ers fans, new and old, did not leave the stadium disappointed watching their team pull out a nail-biter in the waning moments 38-42.
—Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biter
thriller
Noun
-
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
-
But the director has spent decades digging for gold amid pulpier genres, turning out oddball horror, thriller, and comic-book movies.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biter. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
