nerve-racking

American  

[nurv-rak-ing] / ˈnɜrvˌræk ɪŋ /

Or nerve-wracking

adjective

1. extremely irritating, annoying, or trying.

   a nerve-racking day; a nerve-racking noise.

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nerve-racking British  

adjective

1. very distressing, exhausting, or harrowing

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Etymology

Origin of nerve-racking

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

And I’ve done a lot of shows that are even more nerve-racking than a solo acoustic show, and that’s living room shows.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s nerve-racking because it’s affecting all markets,” Love added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Our critic called the film “visually alarming and nerve-racking.”

From The Wall Street Journal

While essentially a disaster film, the visually alarming and nerve-racking “Fukushima” is also a cross-cultural psychodrama, about an industry, and perhaps a society, having a meltdown all its own.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s nerve-racking enough for parents watching their son or daughter pitch.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annoying
• stressful
• trying