nerve-racking

or nerve-wrack·ing

[ nurv-rak-ing ]

/ ˈnɜrvˌræk ɪŋ /

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See synonyms for nerve-racking on Thesaurus.com

adjective

extremely irritating, annoying, or trying: a nerve-racking day; a nerve-racking noise.

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of nerve-racking

First recorded in 1805–15

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use nerve-racking in a sentence

Few have the nerve to call him and he's usually pleased when an old friend does.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then he lost his nerve and decided to live after all, and I called for help.
A Million Ways to Die in Prison|Daniel Genis|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“But bringing it to New York was a bit nerve-wracking,” he admits.
This Fashion World Darling Is Homeless|Erica Wagner|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For anyone—not just a fan—the first time performing on camera can be nerve wracking.
Sotheby’s for Sex: The Problem with Auctioning Off Sex with A Porn Star|Aurora Snow|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She was a perky redhead of about 30 with lively blue eyes, a petite figure, and lots of nerve.
Gay Talese on Charlie Manson’s Home on the Range|Gay Talese|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was Carmena, every nerve of her loyal nature on the alert to baffle this pursuer of Alessandro and Ramona.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
To add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
I hadn't the nerve to stand there and tell her she'd never see her father again this side of the pearly gates.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
It was a hair-raising problem, too, and called for every ounce of nerve and every particle of skill the boy possessed.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
This time it was really Mr. Bills, and Mrs. Biggs went out to meet him, while Eloise felt every nerve quiver with dread.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes

British Dictionary definitions for nerve-racking

nerve-racking

nerve-wracking

adjective

very distressing, exhausting, or harrowing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nerve-racking

or nerve-wrack·ing

Origin of nerve-racking

Words related to nerve-racking

How to use nerve-racking in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nerve-racking

nerve-wracking