SUSPENSEFUL Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

suspenseful

adjective

Definition of suspenseful

as in enthralling

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Recent Examples of suspenseful Unlike an actual sporting event, of course, the outcome is engineered, which doesn’t make the golf scenes less suspenseful or exciting for the viewer. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 The publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking—unlikely, possible, definite, indefinite, cancelled, then actual—makes As Always, Julia intensely suspenseful. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 Willow Creek functions as both a jovial document of the town itself and, in its later stages, a properly suspenseful horror film. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 In this new suspenseful mystery that’s also an examination of our country’s racial history, a girl comes of age in post–Civil War Virginia as Reconstruction collapses. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 Coproduced with Grayson Beatz, the track is laid back compared to his other bass-thumping, suspenseful works. — Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 2026 Sitting front row, Fox and Pollan happily cuddled up in front of the camera ahead of the game, which made for a suspenseful evening. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 11 June 2026 Director Andrew Patterson’s suspenseful debut keeps you on the edge of your seat as two smalltown 1950s New Mexico teens — one a switchboard operator, the other a DJ — tune into something that’s out there and trying to communicate. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 June 2026 Her father encouraged her to read literary fiction, and her mother introduced her to suspenseful thriller books by Mary Higgins Clark and Robin Cook. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspenseful

Adjective

Creative players both, this could be an enthralling matchup — and Fery should get the Centre Court berth that British players dream about.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026
The only thing missing from an enthralling first 45 minutes was a goal, but that wasn't for lack of trying.

— NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026

Definition of enthralling

Adjective

Neill is at his most handsome, charming heartthrob best here, and the film received an Oscar nod for its period costume design.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
What to do nearby Cernobbio is a charming town nestled between Mount Bisbino and Lake Como, with beautiful lakefront views, hiking trails, and a botanical garden.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

Definition of charming

Adjective

Equally captivating is Mdina, the Silent City, whose narrow streets, elegant palaces and timeless atmosphere transport visitors to another era.

— Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Visitors can walk the length of the 121,000-sq-ft (11,241-sq-m) green roof that's planted with species native to the area, enjoy captivating views of the national park.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 July 2026

Definition of captivating

Adjective

That is what has made this past week-plus so intriguing in the Miami Heat’s backcourt.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2026
Bond has always been an intriguing vessel; by design, the spy is detached and isolated, a character who can disappear into the shadows and emerge totally fixated on a new mission with his past loves and losses brushed off with ease.

— Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Definition of intriguing

Adjective

This gripping adaptation of the Stephen King novel is about a dystopian America set in the 1970s after a second Civil War leaves the country in ruin.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
In fact, this six-episode series about women of a certain age who form a punk band to compete in a local talent competition—and accidentally change their lives in the process—is totally gripping.

— Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

Definition of gripping

Adjective

England versus Argentina also features two previous winners, but this match has a much more interesting history to it.

— Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Looks like an interesting docu-series, though, maybe especially for those of us who will never go in person.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of interesting

Browse Nearby Words

suspense

suspenseful

suspenseless

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“Suspenseful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspenseful. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of suspenseful

adjective

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