HEART-STOPPING Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

heart-stopping

adjective

ˈhärt-ˌstä-piŋ

Definition of heart-stopping

as in breathtaking

causing great emotional or mental stimulation the movie's climax is a heart-stopping chase through the streets of San Francisco

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 heart-stopping Extreme heat this week has Chicago-area households facing a brutal double-whammy—staying safely cool without triggering a heart-stopping electric bill. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 29 June 2026 There are tears among Ecuador's fans after a heart-stopping final few minutes when Germany finally woke up and tried to score again. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026 In short, Che was a wonderfully heart-stopping f---. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026 For a few heart-stopping seconds, the orca is beached on wet sand or pebbles. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for heart-stopping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heart-stopping

Adjective

The first sequence plays out with breathtaking suspense, the second with wrenching tragedy; the difference is calibrated by the composer Ludwig Göransson, whose score pulses with mournful dissonance and martial fury.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
There was extreme velocity, incredible power and breathtaking speed.

— Chad Jennings, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of breathtaking

Adjective

The King vs the Prince The clash of styles is one subplot but arguably not as exciting as the prospect of Messi coming up against Lamine Yamal.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
After a month of adrenaline-pumping action, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws to a close this weekend with two exciting finals.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

That was the call in the 106th minute of a thrilling World Cup Final match that saw Spain best Argentina, 1-0.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 July 2026
In addition to the three WNBA games, the World Cup semifinals brought a thrilling finish, with Lionel Messi creating two last-ditch scoring opportunities, cashed in by teammates as Argentina stunned England.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of thrilling

Browse Nearby Words

heartsore

heart-stopping

heartstrings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heart-stopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heart-stopping. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heart-stopping

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes