cliff-hangers

plural of cliff-hanger
as in thrillers
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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-hangers In other words, cut the contentious cliff-hangers and replace them with pasta and palazzos — and stories people can connect with. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 And many have speculated that Netflix’s vast trove of data informs certain narrative habits on its shows (cliff-hangers to encourage bingeing, for example, and frequent restating of plot points to engage viewers distracted by their phones). Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026 The biggest key to the success of minidramas, though, is the cliff-hangers, which push viewers to keep paying for the next episode. Yixuan Tan, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2025 Which means there are some major cliff-hangers to obsess over for the next few weeks. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliff-hangers
thrillers
Noun
  • The author’s thrillers will be available in the United States and Canada for the first time in an eight-book deal through Hanover Square Press, kicking off with Conviction in 2027.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Romance stories and drama thrillers are still the dominant genres for short-form serials and recurring series, but that mix is changing.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cliff-hangers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliff-hangers. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!