variants
or nerve-wracking
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
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Recent Examples of nerve-racking
Meeting the rapper, 44, in person proved to be a nerve-racking experience.
—
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Caregiving like no other One reason that mental health caregivers particularly need support is that caring for someone with a serious mental illness can be nerve-racking, simply because of the nature of these disorders and diseases.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 31 Dec. 2025
That was honestly the most nerve-racking thing.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 25 Dec. 2025
In Parker's nerve-racking scene, her character gives gifts to each member of the Stone clan in an effort to mend fences with them, and Keaton's signature wit is on full display.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Caregiving like no other One reason that mental health caregivers particularly need support is that caring for someone with a serious mental illness can be nerve-racking, simply because of the nature of these disorders and diseases.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 31 Dec. 2025
That was honestly the most nerve-racking thing.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 25 Dec. 2025
In Parker's nerve-racking scene, her character gives gifts to each member of the Stone clan in an effort to mend fences with them, and Keaton's signature wit is on full display.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve-racking
Adjective
-
This kind of bare-knuckle politics might explain why so many other GOP leaders are uneasy.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The entire record is a Trojan horse—a clear vision of white womanhood that hides a whole lot of churning, uneasy feelings.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The story centers on a young couple (Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny) whose lives become entangled with their volatile boss and his wife (Isaac and Carey Mulligan) after witnessing a disturbing incident at an elite country club.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Before the footage was shown, as PEOPLE previously reported, Judge George Gallagher warned those in the courtroom that the material would be disturbing.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Relations between China and Taiwan have been tense since 2016 when the Taiwanese public elected Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party as president.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Is this a particularly tense time for them?—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This project made Cooper nervous for several reasons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The players looked worked up at times and the fans are nervous.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The president and his Cabinet members are giving conflicting statements about the impact of the war on gas prices as Americans grow more anxious about the economic toll that the conflict is taking.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This is the move that helps the shyest, most introverted, most socially anxious people relax.—
Henna Pryor,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
West Texas Intermediate crude, the American benchmark, was once again nearing $100 per barrel, an unsettling development.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And yet behind the distressful scene, a young man continues to butcher an animal.—
Kaely Monahan,
The Arizona Republic,
27 Mar. 2024
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Despite the distressful news of Houston’s death that day, the event went forward to create a space for guests to mourn.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN,
2 Feb. 2024
Adjective
-
Jason Robertson isn’t quite Ralph Cox, but there are unnerving similarities, and there is nothing the Dallas Stars forward can do to change that reality.—
Mac Engel
April 21,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In it, a husband and wife adopt a cat, Sheila, who develops an unnerving disposition come nightfall.—
Mariella Rudi,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerve-racking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve-racking. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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