cliff-hanger

noun

ˈklif-ˌhaŋ-ər How to pronounce cliff-hanger (audio)
Definition of cliff-hangernext
as in thriller
something (as a close contest) that induces much suspense as to its outcome finally, a Super Bowl game that turned out to be a real cliff-hanger

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cliff-hanger The latest cliff-hanger, which saw Netflix ceding the bidding war to Paramount late Thursday, had Hollywood and the media worlds agog. — Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026 The show remains compulsively watchable; each episode ends on a cliff-hanger. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025 Angus Cloud, who played drug dealer Fezco, died after season two; the second season ended on a major cliff-hanger involving his character. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025 For now, Mars keeps its secrets, and Bright Angel stays a cliff-hanger. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cliff-hanger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliff-hanger
thriller
Noun
  • The serial killer thriller follows a group of teens who knock down a drone from the sky, only to discover it contains footage of a psychopath on a killing spree.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • But this daffy mix of buddy comedy and conspiracy thriller benefits from his facility with dialogue that’s just south of screwball, as well as the mutual admiration society between McDonagh and actors.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of thriller

Browse Nearby Words

cliff dwellers
cliff-hanger
cliff-hangers
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Cite this Entry

“Cliff-hanger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliff-hanger. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cliff-hanger

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cliff-hanger

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