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

In 2021, Pastore starred in the indie crime thriller The Birthday Cake opposite Val Kilmer, Shiloh Fernandez, Jeremy Allen White and Ewan McGregor, as well as his Sopranos co-star Lorraine Bracco. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

After filming the 1997 thriller Insomnia in Norway, Stellan Skarsgård made a vow. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026

While promoting her new teen thriller series The Shards alongside costar Graham Campbell with Extra in an interview released on Wednesday, July 29, the model and actress, 24, reflected on her experience at Swift and Kelce’s wedding four weeks ago. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

In Kimberly McCreight’s best-selling new thriller, Someone Else’s Husband, a New York City artist is murdered after having an affair with a married man during a group climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 31 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