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

Adams’ latest project, Cape Fear, is a 10-episode series that reimagines the classic 1991 psychological thriller of the same name for the digital age. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

The first look at the near-future thriller adapts William Gibson’s cyberpunk classic from 1984. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026

The crew’s valiant attempt to halt the pressure leak and save the station is like something straight out of a Hollywood thriller. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 July 2026

Christopher Nolan has directed everything from sci-fi thrillers such as Interstellar, Tenet and Inception to historical dramas like Dunkirk and Oppenheimer, mysteries like The Prestige and Memento and superhero films with his Dark Knight trilogy. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 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