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

Despite his commitment to playing the mayoral candidate in the thriller, Affleck does not appear to harbor any political aspirations in real life. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Norwegian star Pia Tjelta (Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, No Comment, Don’t Call Me Mama) has joined the cast of the second season of the international spy thriller hit series The Day of the Jackal, THR can exclusively reveal. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

As for the future, Creed-Miles has already filmed the supernatural horror thriller Flesh of the Gods, which also stars Wagner Moura and reunites her with Stewart. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026

This time, Affleck is the wealthy man at the heart of the mistaken-identity kidnapping thriller. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 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