nerve-wracking

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nerve-wracking

Waiting for the test results was a nerve-wracking experience.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Causing extreme stress, anxiety, or tension: Describes a situation, event, or experience that is intensely stressful and puts a severe strain on one's nerves or emotional composure.

Usage and Examples

The adjective "nerve-wracking" is used to describe something that is psychologically taxing and causes significant anxiety.

  • Describing an event or situation:

    • Waiting for the exam results was a nerve-wracking experience.
    • The final minutes of the championship game were absolutely nerve-wracking for the fans.

  • Describing a task or activity:

    • Giving a presentation to the board of directors can be nerve-wracking.
    • Driving in heavy city traffic for the first time is nerve-wracking.
Advanced Usage and Notes
  • Spelling Variant: The word is also commonly and correctly spelled nerve-racking. Both "nerve-wracking" and "nerve-racking" are accepted standard forms.
  • Intensifiers: It is often modified by adverbs like , , , or to emphasize the extreme level of stress.
    • The interview process was particularly nerve-wracking.
Variants and Related Words
  • Nerve-racking (adj): An alternative spelling with the same meaning.
  • Nerve-wracked (adj): Describes a person who is suffering from extreme nervous strain.
    • The nerve-wracked contestant waited backstage.
Synonyms
  • Stressful: Causing mental or emotional strain.
  • Tense: Creating or marked by nervous strain.
  • Anxiety-provoking: Likely to cause feelings of anxiety.
  • Harrowing: Acutely distressing or agonizing.
Antonyms
  • Relaxing: Reducing tension or anxiety.
  • Calming: Making someone peaceful or tranquil.
  • Soothing: Gently calming.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • To be on edge / on tenterhooks: To be in a state of nervous excitement or anticipation, often describing how one feels during a "nerve-wracking" situation.
    • We were on tenterhooks during the nerve-wracking final match.
  • A nail-biter: An event or situation that is so tense or exciting it causes one to bite their nails (closely related in meaning).
    • The election was a real nail-biter.
nerve-wracking

Waiting for the test results was a nerve-wracking experience.

Adjective
  1. extremely irritating to the nerves
    • nerve-racking noise
    • the stressful days before a war
    • a trying day at the office

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