as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
the movie's climax is a heart-stopping chase through the streets of San Francisco
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Recent Examples of heart-stopping
About noon Larry gunned the Maule — heavily loaded with moose meat — to a heart-stopping takeoff from the makeshift strip.
—
Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Both keepers, Cleveland and Seattle counterpart Andrew Thomas, made some heart-stopping saves after halftime.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
The match would often feature the X-Division’s highflyers and provided some heart-stopping moments.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
An Oklahoma principal is being hailed as a hero after tackling a gunman inside a high school earlier this month – a heart-stopping moment that was captured on video.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heart-stopping
Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Both keepers, Cleveland and Seattle counterpart Andrew Thomas, made some heart-stopping saves after halftime.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
The match would often feature the X-Division’s highflyers and provided some heart-stopping moments.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
An Oklahoma principal is being hailed as a hero after tackling a gunman inside a high school earlier this month – a heart-stopping moment that was captured on video.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heart-stopping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heart-stopping
Adjective
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The views are breathtaking, and its history is rich.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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As part of a new project highlighting breathtaking — and sometimes overlooked — sights across the country, here are some of the Golden State's stunning scenic spots.—
Kristin Scharkey,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The moon in Aries also energizes your 11th house of friendships and future plans, so a social event or opportunity could feel exciting.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
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While the combination of editor Sarah Broshar’s relentless pacing and John Williams’ full-bodied score (which stands among the veteran composer’s finest) makes for an exciting watch throughout, the breathless action sequences are especially thrilling.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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That’s not the most thrilling roadshow pitch, but is an actual investment thesis.—
Bhaskar Chakravorti,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
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And, for the moment, though this study presents even more thrilling evidence that perhaps humans, at this time, were able to control fire?—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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There's a joyously wacky energy to this broad comedy on the whole, giving Rudd an interesting arc to play.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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And all this other stuff is interesting, the arch and the other things that bother us.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heart-stopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heart-stopping. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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