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

• 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

The actress leads Anniversary, a thriller about a fractured family that clashes as the country embraces a controversial rising movement known as The Change. —Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025

First, the Thunder played a double-overtime thriller against the new-look Houston Rockets, holding on to win 125-124 in an instant classic. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025

The thriller, which is now streaming on Netflix, sees Abby put herself in real danger (such as almost being run off the road). —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025

Projects include an adaptation of Duff Wilson’s Pulitzer finalist eco-thriller Fateful Harvest, penned by Daniel Stiepleman (On the Basis of Sex). —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 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