nail-biter

noun

ˈnāl-ˌbī-tər How to pronounce nail-biter (audio)
Definition of nail-biternext
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

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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 The game was a nail-biter, with the Knicks trailing the Spurs by nearly 30 points at the first half, only to come back in the second half and win in the last minute of the game by one point. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 Colorado’s gubernatorial primary is also proving to be nail-biter. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 30 June 2026 Coming off a win in Friday’s nail-biter, Brasher and Cruz clinched a 15-10 win in set one off a late surge, finishing on a 6-1 run. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026 After falling behind 2-0 against the Dallas Mavericks, the Heat then won four straight games to earn its first Larry O’Brien Trophy, the deciding game a 95-92 nail-biter on June 20, 2006, in which Wade finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds and was ultimately named NBA Finals MVP. — James Jackson, New York Times, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biter
thriller
Noun
  • Readers can’t seem to get enough of thrillers and mysteries, and there’s no shortage of writers eager to deliver them.
    — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • Obsession, the blockbuster horror thriller starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, hit another major box office milestone over the weekend.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of thriller

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nail-biter
nail-biters
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Cite this Entry

“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biter. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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