nerve-racking
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of nerve-racking
First recorded in 1805–15
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.
She hasn’t been denied reentry, but has found the bureaucratic process so complicated and nerve racking that she’s unsure whether she will be allowed to return or would qualify for protection under Biden’s program.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2024
"Before the 2013-14 Ashes series was pretty nerve racking to be honest," he says.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2023
I do admire the photographer for making this image, I'm sure a very challenging and nerve racking session.
From New York Times • Dec. 8, 2017
"Acting is a little bit more nerve racking, because with hosting you can be your own personality. That's my comfort zone being a music personality," he said.
From US News • Mar. 2, 2016
The whole thing on this particular evening was gone through with in deadly silence, which was nerve racking, particularly to Polly.
From Polly's Senior Year at Boarding School by Whitehill, Dorothy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
