What Is Another Way to Say “Nerve-Racking”?

Looking for synonyms for nerve-racking? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say nerve-racking.

  • Stressful
  • Anxiety-inducing
  • Tense
  • Agonizing
  • Harrowing
  • Daunting
  • Intimidating
  • Exasperating
  • Distressing
  • Frightening
  • Unnerving
  • Worrisome
  • Tumultuous
  • Traumatic
  • Taxing

Want to learn how to say nerve-racking professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Stressful

Usage: Suitable for situations causing a lot of stress.
Example: “Meeting tight deadlines can be particularly stressful for the team.”

2. Anxiety-Inducing

Usage: Ideal for situations that provoke anxiety.
Example: “Presenting in front of a large audience can be anxiety-inducing for many people.”

3. Tense

Usage: Appropriate for situations characterized by a high level of stress or nervousness.
Example: “The negotiations between the companies were incredibly tense.”

4. Agonizing

Usage: Used for situations that involve severe mental or physical pain.
Example: “Waiting for the results of the audit was an agonizing process.”

5. Harrowing

Usage: Suitable for extremely distressing or traumatic situations.
Example: “Dealing with the aftermath of the cyber attack was a harrowing experience for the IT team.”

6. Daunting

Usage: Ideal for situations that are intimidating or seem difficult to deal with.
Example: “Taking on a leadership role for the first time can be quite daunting.”

7. Intimidating

Usage: Appropriate for situations that are frightening or overwhelming.
Example: “Facing the panel of investors was intimidating for the new startup.”

8. Exasperating

Usage: Used for situations that are extremely irritating or frustrating.
Example: “Dealing with the fluctuating market conditions has been exasperating for the finance team.”

9. Distressing

Usage: Suitable for situations causing anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
Example: “The news of the company downsizing was distressing to all employees.”

10. Frightening

Usage: Ideal for situations that are scary or cause fear.
Example: “The sudden drop in sales this quarter was quite frightening for the business.”

11. Unnerving

Usage: Appropriate for situations that make one lose courage or confidence.
Example: “The scale of the project was unnerving, but the team was determined to succeed.”

12. Worrisome

Usage: Used for situations that cause worry or concern.
Example: “The continuous delay in product launch is worrisome for the stakeholders.”

13. Tumultuous

Usage: Suitable for situations that are chaotic or disorderly.
Example: “The company has had a tumultuous year, with many ups and downs.”

14. Traumatic

Usage: Ideal for situations that are emotionally or psychologically distressing.
Example: “The merger was a traumatic change for employees who had been with the company for years.”

15. Taxing

Usage: Appropriate for situations that are physically or mentally demanding.
Example: “Managing the project single-handedly has been a taxing endeavor.”

Linda Brown