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

ProdPro exec LoVerde points out that the comparable quarter last year in Illinois saw Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller Dark Matter shoot there for season two. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

The show is a horror thriller revolving around Hardy’s ex-con, Daniel West. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

The thuddingly literal-minded movie that director Brian Duffield has made of it is a piece of thriller kitsch, full of unintentional laughs. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Last year, Lionsgate released psychological thriller The Housemaid adapted from author Freida McFadden’s book of the same name. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 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