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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Recent Examples of nail-biter
New Yorkers are braving the heat to cast their ballots in Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary election, which is set to be a nail-biter between Democratic Socialist state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
—
Solcyré Burga, Time, 24 June 2025
Both as high-intensity nail-biter and sharp political allegory, the 2002 feature remains among the most influential horror of the 21st century.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Those fans thirsting for the Cubs team that slugged its way to wins earlier in the season have had to settle for low-scoring nail-biters lately.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Bailey hears that theme from consumers who just aren’t in the mood for any more nail-biters.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Solcyré Burga, Time, 24 June 2025
Both as high-intensity nail-biter and sharp political allegory, the 2002 feature remains among the most influential horror of the 21st century.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Those fans thirsting for the Cubs team that slugged its way to wins earlier in the season have had to settle for low-scoring nail-biters lately.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Bailey hears that theme from consumers who just aren’t in the mood for any more nail-biters.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail-biter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail-biter
thriller
Noun
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The first weekend in October has been a rich launch pad for femme thriller movies, particularly those based on bestsellers, i.e. 2014’s Gone Girl ($37.5M) and 2016’s The Girl on the Train ($24.5M opening).—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
11 July 2025
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The dark thriller centers on a struggling novelist desperate for inspiration who believes his muse has appeared in the form of a drunk, psychotic decorator.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail-biter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail-biter. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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