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 of thriller

• suspenser

Examples of thriller in a Sentence

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

Pitt is coming off a strong fall that includes his Paramount survival thriller Heart of the Beast, which has grossed nearly $200 million at the worldwide box office. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2026

Your novels have ranged in genre from crime, thrillers and science fiction. — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026

Within each of these thrillers lurk so many shady husbands, brothers, bosses, and dads. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2026

In this smart but tepid thriller, Adam Driver, Miles Teller and Scarlett Johansson play a Queens family who can’t stomach the corruption of the Gowanus Canal. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing thriller

• techno-thriller

Rhymes for thriller

• biller
• chiller
• driller
• filler
• hilar
• hiller
• killer
• pillar
• quiller
• siller
• spiller
• stiller

Kids Definition

thriller

noun

thril·​ler ˈthril-ər 

: one that thrills

especially : a work of fiction or drama with a great deal of action, mystery, adventure, or suspense