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

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-hanger 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 Which means there are some major cliff-hangers to obsess over for the next few weeks. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cliff-hanger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliff-hanger
thriller
Noun
  • But at the end of this bizarre game in Miami, this silly 6-4 thriller, this giddy attacking exhibition of some of the world’s best players, and some of the world’s worst defending, England were on the winning side.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Plot details for the project, described as an action-thriller, are under wraps.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cliff-hanger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliff-hanger. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on cliff-hanger

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster