nerve-racking

adjective

ˈnərv-ˌra-kiŋ How to pronounce nerve-racking (audio)
variants or nerve-wracking
Definition of nerve-rackingnext
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings the nerve-racking wait to learn the identities of the passengers who were killed in the plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nerve-racking That’s the nerve-racking part of this (World Cup); the watching, the waiting. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Feeling the weight of an entire country seems like a nerve-racking prospect, but the women of BINI take it in stride. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026 One of the most dangerous and nerve-racking parts of the Artemis II mission is still ahead. — Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026 Whitaker is just starting his first year, but is that nerve-racking to know as an actor? — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve-racking
  1. uneasy
  2. disturbing
  3. tense
  4. nervous
  5. anxious
  6. unsettling
  7. distressful
  8. unnerving
Adjective
  • That uneasy feeling settles over the rest of Infinite Now like suffocating humidity.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Some support industrial policy but are uneasy about framing it principally around competition with China.
    — THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Gainey could not be reached for comment, but while the current O'Connor administration has been cooperating with investigators, Chief of Staff Dann Gilman said these revelations are disturbing.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Even at their most disturbing, scenes describing carnage tend to be colorful and amusing.
    — Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • Photographed here in his at-home music studio in 1978, the singer’s career was on the upswing—but his relationship with Weber was growing tense.
    — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Abdul El-Sayed may have clinched a historic victory in Michigan, but his tense exchange with a Sky News reporter on election night is not winning him supporters in the UK.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • Meyers' thinking is that as the odds go up of a Democratic party win, investors are getting more nervous about parts of the artificial intelligence trade.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Later on, after the guests have left, this cheating convention makes Kaylee nervous.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Rushing to your appointment, feeling anxious, or drinking caffeine can raise your blood pressure.
    — Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Many in Iran are anxious about a possible return to all-out war.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • But after discovering an unsettling antique portrait of a mysterious pioneer woman, their idyllic retreat begins to unravel.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Her dangling tongue, tuft of Troll doll-esque blond hair, and pink ribbon juxtaposed with an occasional top hat give her a quirky, sometimes unsettling charm.
    — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • If the prospect of being speedily dismissed by Pat Murphy’s gang is a downer for the Rays’ faithful, a 4-0 door-slam may be even more distressful to Fox and its advertising partners.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Carrying debt can be incredibly distressful, especially with sky-high prices for food, gas and housing.
    — Mallika Mitra, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of distressful
Adjective
  • Butler said the incident was unnerving to witness, and has left residents in the area rattled.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Graham’s wildly unnerving performance as Jurek is what holds the show together.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of unnerving

Browse Nearby Words

nervelessly
nerve-racking
nerves
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Cite this Entry

“Nerve-racking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve-racking. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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