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

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 • Mar. 5, 2026

“There is a little less anxiety now,” she added, recalling the nerve-racking days after Maduro’s forced exit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Distribution — where you start to draw money from those funds, like an expensive wine in your cellar — can be nerve-racking.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

But all that pitch-perfect precision is why the long-brewing sequel, “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” is so nerve-racking.

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2026

Talk that felt exhilarating in Ms. Hussey’s classroom was nerve-racking elsewhere.

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett

Related Words

• annoying
• stressful
• trying