nerve-racking
adjective
nerve-rack·ing ˈnərv-ˌra-kiŋ 
variants or nerve-wracking
: extremely trying on the nerves
a nerve-racking ordeal
The job interview was a nerve-racking experience.
Examples of nerve-racking in a Sentence
the nerve-racking wait to learn the identities of the passengers who were killed in the plane crash
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the most dangerous and nerve-racking parts of the Artemis II mission is still ahead. —
Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026 In the best-case scenario, what follows will be 13 minutes of nerve-racking tension—about half of which will be in radio blackout. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026 Economists, analysts, and investors have spent the past few days sounding the alarm about stagflation, a uniquely nerve-racking scenario in which high inflation dogs a low-growth, stagnant economy. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 For Riverside residents living in the surrounding area, the incident is nerve-racking and a little too close to home. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
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.
Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026 In the best-case scenario, what follows will be 13 minutes of nerve-racking tension—about half of which will be in radio blackout. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026 Economists, analysts, and investors have spent the past few days sounding the alarm about stagflation, a uniquely nerve-racking scenario in which high inflation dogs a low-growth, stagnant economy. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 For Riverside residents living in the surrounding area, the incident is nerve-racking and a little too close to home. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nerve-racking
Cite this Entry
“Nerve-racking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/nerve-racking. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
