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

There’s also the Imax debut of the original Star Wars and Nolan’s The Prestige psychological thriller will be presented in 70mm film for the first time. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

Ultimate Media Group, led by sales veteran Jason Buckley, has come on board to handle international rights — with WME Independent handling domestic sales — for the survival thriller In Tandem starring Emile Hirsch and Benjamin Norris. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Joel Edgerton reprises his role as Jason Dessen in Blake Crouch’s mind-bending Apple TV sci-fi thriller, starring alongside Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Ellen Wong and Jimmi Simpson. — Paul Brett, Space.com, 4 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