nerve-racking
Making you tense
Nerve-racking describes something that causes anxiety or tension: a nerve-racking job interview, The wait for test results was nerve-racking.
The image is of nerves being stretched on a rack—a torture device.
Also spelled nerve-wracking, though some consider this a mistake since wrack originally meant wreckage, not stretching.
Strained or nervous
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- edge-of-seatIntensely suspenseful experience
- grippingHolding attention completely
- suspensefulCreating anxious anticipation
thrilling · nail-biter · cliffhanger · anticipation · breathless · white-knuckle · dramatic · climactic
State of anxious unease
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- jittersNervous agitation
worry · dread · tension · edginess · agitation · restlessness · fidgetiness · disquiet
Requiring great effort
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- taxingRequiring great effort
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
- wearingHaving clothing on
trying · grueling · straining · fatiguing · frazzling · fraying · burnout · pressure-cooker
Causing inability to move
- debilitatingCausing severe impairment
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
suffocating · stifling · freezing · panic-inducing · incapacitating · crippling · immobilizing
Force upon contact
- high-pressureInvolving urgent demands
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- make-or-breakDetermining ultimate success
pivotal · crucial · consequential · risky · gamble · do-or-die · crunch-time · audition
tense
Strained or nervous
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- edge-of-seatIntensely suspenseful experience
- grippingHolding attention completely
suspenseful · thrilling · nail-biter · cliffhanger · anticipation · breathless · white-knuckle · dramatic · climactic · uncertainty
nervousness
State of anxious unease
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- uneaseMild persistent worry
jitters · worry · dread · tension · edginess · agitation · restlessness · fidgetiness · disquiet · anxiousness
demanding
Requiring great effort
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- taxingRequiring great effort
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
wearing · trying · grueling · straining · fatiguing · frazzling · fraying · burnout · pressure-cooker · harrowing
paralyzing
Causing inability to move
- debilitatingCausing severe impairment
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
overpowering · suffocating · stifling · freezing · panic-inducing · incapacitating · crippling · immobilizing
pressure
Force upon contact
- high-pressureInvolving urgent demands
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- decisiveQuick to conclude
make-or-break · pivotal · crucial · consequential · risky · gamble · do-or-die · crunch-time · audition · interview
nerve-rackingeasy
Requiring minimal effort
comfortable · effortless · easygoing · carefree · pleasant