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Glite Dictionary
nerve-shredder

nerve-shredder

8.9
An event like an exam that makes you very anxious or stressed
  • noun
  • /ˈnɜrvˌʃrɛdər/
  • Informal
translation icon : situación estresante
  • Final exams can be a nerve-shredder for even the most prepared students.

Examples

  • Waiting for the test results was a complete nerve-shredder for her.

  • The championship match turned out to be a real nerve-shredder for fans watching in the stadium.

  • The final exam was a real nerve-shredder!

  • Waiting for the results felt like a nerve-shredder.

  • Final exams can be a nerve-shredder for even the most prepared students.

  • The championship match turned out to be a real nerve-shredder for fans watching in the stadium.

  • Waiting for the test results was a complete nerve-shredder for her.

Synonyms

nerve-wracking experience
vsnerve-shredder
1 5.5

A very stressful event that makes you feel worried

is a broader term for any event or thing causing intense anxiety or stress
incubus
vsnerve-shredder
9.9

A situation or feeling that causes great worry and distress

is more like a heavy ongoing burden rather than a one time event
wrencher
vsnerve-shredder
9.9

Something that causes sudden strong emotional pain

is usually sudden while the main term refers to general intense anxiety

Antonyms

relief
440 1.0

A feeling of comfort when pain or worry goes away

comfort
190 1.0

A feeling of physical ease and being free from pain

How Stressful

trauma
  • Specialized
304 4.8
nerve-shredder
  • Informal
8.9
ordeal
137 4.8
stress
704 2.8
worry
290 1.0
annoyance
26 2.8

Surface Forms

nerve-shredder singular
nerve-shredders plural

Morphology

nerve-shredder = nerve + shredder (transparent) = nerve + shredder

The meaning is a straightforward metaphorical compound: something that 'shreds' one's nerves, i.e., causes intense anxiety.

Etymology

The word nerve-shredder is made of two words: nerve, meaning your feelings or 'courage', and shredder, like a paper shredder that 'tears things into pieces'. So a nerve-shredder is something that 'tears at your nerves' and causes strong worry or anxiety.