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

Abundantia is known for the likes of Prime Video series Breathe and Daldal, Netflix crime-comedy Maa Behen, Baby, Toiler – Ek Prem Katha, Chhorii and Subedaar, the action thriller starring Anil Kapoor. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026

This is the second meeting between these division rivals this season, with Cleveland winning a 27-24 thriller in Week 4. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Next up is Dead Women Talking, a new YLE crime thriller inspired by the true-crime podcast phenomenon that will air across the Nordics following its Finnish premiere. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

Hoorae has Rae’s reputation, a talent network, and a platform partner — while uploading your own thriller and waiting for the algorithm to fall in love is a different proposition. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 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