nerve-wracking — making someone feel very anxious, stressed, or worried
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: making someone feel very anxious, stressed, or worried
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnɜːrv ˌrækɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- Waiting for my exam results was absolutely nerve-wracking - I checked my email every five minutes.
- The nerve-wracking moment when you realize you've been talking to your crush's dad thinking it was your friend on the phone.
- Public speaking is nerve-wracking for most people, but she handled it like a pro.
nerve-wracking
ADJECTIVE[/ˈnɜːrv ˌrækɪŋ/]
making someone feel very anxious, stressed, or worried
Waiting for exam results was absolutely nerve-wracking for every student in the hallway.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This compound word combines 'nerve' (from Old English 'naerfe', ultimately from Latin 'nervus' meaning sinew or tendon) with 'wrack' (from Old English 'wræc' meaning ruin or destruction). The phrase literally describes a situation that destroys one's composure or emotional stability.
Breakdown
nerve (sinews; emotional composure) + wrack (to ruin, destroy) + -ing (present participle). The '-ing' form transforms the verb into an adjective describing something that causes nervous distress or anxiety.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Waiting for my exam results was absolutely nerve-wracking - I checked my email every five minutes.”
“The nerve-wracking moment when you realize you've been talking to your crush's dad thinking it was your friend on the phone.”
“Public speaking is nerve-wracking for most people, but she handled it like a pro.”
“The most nerve-wracking part of cooking for your in-laws is when they take that first bite and their poker face reveals nothing.”
“The nerve-wracking silence in the elevator when it suddenly stops between floors.”
📚Related Words
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