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Definitions

nail-biting

[neyl-bahy-ting] / ˈneɪlˌbaɪ tɪŋ /

ADVERB

on edge

Synonyms

WEAK

anxious edgy fidgety high-strung hyper impatient in suspense jittery jumpy nerves on edge nervous skittish uneasy wired

NOUN

anxiety

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst apprehension concern disquiet doubt dread jitters misery misgiving mistrust nervousness panic restlessness suffering suspense trouble uncertainty unease uneasiness

STRONG

botheration butterflies care creeps disquietude distress downer drag fidgets flap foreboding fretfulness fuss heebie-jeebies jumps needles shakes shivers solicitude sweat watchfulness willies worriment

WEAK

all-overs ants in pants cold sweat goose bumps pins and needles

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage belief blessing calm calmness certainty collectedness confidence contentment ease faith happiness joy peace security sureness trust

STRONG

peacefulness

WEAK

assurance composure nonchalance tranquility

NOUN

tension

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxiety apprehension concern discomfort hostility jitters nervousness pressure strain suspense unease worry

STRONG

agitation brunt disquiet edginess jumps nerves restlessness shakes uneasiness worriment

WEAK

ants in pants antsiness bad feeling pins and needles

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calmness ease peace

STRONG

calm

WEAK

contentedness limpness looseness relaxation slack

NOUN

unease

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst apprehension disquiet doubt dread foreboding jitters misgiving mistrust nervousness panic restlessness uncertainty uneasiness worry

STRONG

anxiousness botheration butterflies care concern creeps disquietude distress downer drag fidgets flap fretfulness fuss heebie-jeebies jumps misery needles shakes shivers solicitude suffering suspense sweat trouble watchfulness willies worriment

WEAK

all-overs ants in pants cold sweat goose bumps pins and needles

Antonyms

STRONGEST

belief calm calmness certainty collectedness confidence ease faith security sureness trust

STRONG

advantage benefit blessing happiness health joy peace peacefulness pleasure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After decades of nail-biting and false alarms, has it finally arrived?

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

A Hollywood ceremony set to feature music from "KPop Demon Hunters" and Conan O'Brien as host will feature several nail-biting reveals, culminating in the announcement of the year's best film, which remains anyone's guess.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

But underneath all the nail-biting is a solid foundation—Arsenal hasn’t climbed to the top of the league by accident.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks lead England to an unlikely four-wicket win over New Zealand in a nail-biting finish at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

“A medal-league table was set up every day in most newspapers, which showed the points every team had reached....For us youngsters, it was a nail-biting experience to the very last day. We had won!”

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

nail-biting

Example Sentences

Related Words