thriller
noun
thrill·er ˈthri-lər 
: one that thrills
especially : a work of fiction or drama designed to hold the interest by the use of a high degree of intrigue, adventure, or suspense
Synonyms
- cliff-hanger
- hair-raiser
- nail-biter
- suspenser
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His latest novel is a political thriller. those television awards are hardly thrillers since the same people win year after year
Recent Examples on the Web Kazakh crime drama Brothers, with an honorary mention for Our Father, The Devil from director Ellie Foumbi, a thriller in which an African refugee in France recognizes a charismatic Catholic priest as the warlord who slaughtered her family. 
Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2022 Want a tight little thriller that will remind you of Ruth Rendell and Patricia Highsmith? Andy Meek, BGR, 19 Sep. 2022 For those who want to spend their time outside rather than curled up with a thriller, the home has a private dock on Alkire Lake. Brianna Griff, Chron, 18 Sep. 2022 Appalachian State armed with millions of dollars from Texas A&M and a visit from College GameDay, rewarded their fans with an absolute thriller against Troy. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 The streaming service also releases a big action thriller that day. Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Sep. 2022 The supernatural thriller will re-team Reeves with original director Francis Lawrence. Amanda Taylor, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2022 With a cast that includes Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck and Kristine Froseth, the film plays as part educational essay, part procedural heist thriller. Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 The Perfect Nanny, a thriller inspired by a notorious news item and also set in contemporary Paris, followed Myriam, a lawyer who decides to return to work while her children are still little. Leslie Camhi, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2022 See More
Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2022 Want a tight little thriller that will remind you of Ruth Rendell and Patricia Highsmith? Andy Meek, BGR, 19 Sep. 2022 For those who want to spend their time outside rather than curled up with a thriller, the home has a private dock on Alkire Lake. Brianna Griff, Chron, 18 Sep. 2022 Appalachian State armed with millions of dollars from Texas A&M and a visit from College GameDay, rewarded their fans with an absolute thriller against Troy. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 The streaming service also releases a big action thriller that day. Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Sep. 2022 The supernatural thriller will re-team Reeves with original director Francis Lawrence. Amanda Taylor, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2022 With a cast that includes Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck and Kristine Froseth, the film plays as part educational essay, part procedural heist thriller. Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 The Perfect Nanny, a thriller inspired by a notorious news item and also set in contemporary Paris, followed Myriam, a lawyer who decides to return to work while her children are still little. Leslie Camhi, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1889, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing thriller
thriller
noun
as in suspenser
something (as a close contest) that induces much suspense as to its outcome those television awards are hardly thrillers since the same people win year after year Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- suspenser
- nail-biter
- cliff-hanger
- hair-raiser
- photo finish
- squeaker
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- yawner
- blowout
- full verb
- full volley
- full well
- full whack
- full word
- full-blood
- full-blooded
- full-bloodedness
- full-bloods
- full-blown
- full-bodied
- full-bodied money
- full-boled
- full-bore
- full-bosomed
- full-bottomed
- full-bound
- full-cell process
- full-cell treatment
- full-court press
- full-cream
- full-crew law
- full-crown fender
- full-dress
- full-dress uniform