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

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

Repulsion and Rosemary’s Baby have both been cited as influences on the film, which is described as a thriller, but which Lawrence has also said will be funny. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 13 May 2025

As for the Giants, Sunday saw the team drop an extra-innings thriller against the Twins, losing 7-6. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025

My Teacher Told Me, the political thriller Hong Kong, the works of T.S. Eliot and a travel guide about China. —Erika Hayasaki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025

The Minutemen, who lost a 3-2 thriller to Wayland in the opener, continued to show their improvement in crunch time by taking the next two points on a kill and block from Manuelian. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 12 May 2025

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