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
The Music Box continues its series celebrating nail-biters centered on prison breaks.
—
Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Key said Kentucky has been in enough nail-biters under Brooks that the players have learned to handle those challenges.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
There's been thrillers, nail-biters, and a couple of upsets in the men's tournament.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Micelotta / Disney The race for best actor was one of the night’s true nail-biters.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
But winning fewer than 40% of those nail-biters is the stuff that can become a habit.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
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
Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Key said Kentucky has been in enough nail-biters under Brooks that the players have learned to handle those challenges.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
There's been thrillers, nail-biters, and a couple of upsets in the men's tournament.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Micelotta / Disney The race for best actor was one of the night’s true nail-biters.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
But winning fewer than 40% of those nail-biters is the stuff that can become a habit.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biters
thrillers
Noun
-
Yakusho, 70, has been a defining presence in Japanese cinema for four decades, working across crime thrillers, historical epics, and international co-productions.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The former is right up the alley of fans of supernatural thrillers, while the latter pulls back the curtain on the invention of reality TV.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biters. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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