suspenseful

Definition of suspensefulnext

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 suspenseful Nonetheless, there’s no immediate peril until the trio finally go camping, at which point things get more actively suspenseful. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026 There’s a crazy, almost anarchic narrative logic that keeps it zigging and zagging unpredictably from the high-speed chase around precarious mountain roads to the suspenseful near disaster of the climax, in which nature gets angry, and the triumphant eco solution that saves the day. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026 So, David and I agreed to hang a series of suspenseful, tense events that might follow from grown-ups making mistakes, then trying to fix them. Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2026 Things like responding to stressful work emails or watching suspenseful shows can also keep your brain going. Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026 Among moments of dubious dubbing and peculiar acting, the film delivers some genuinely suspenseful sequences, and Juan Mariné's cinematography is colorful and well-polished. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026 As seen in a black-and-white teaser for Squarespace’s 12th Super Bowl appearance, titled Unavailable, Stone is breathing heavily with tears forming in her eyes before the camera pans to a suspenseful shot of a mysterious building sitting atop a small island. Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026 Advertisement The imprisonment and death of Aldo Moro There is a lot of ambiguity and speculation around the abduction and death of Aldo Moro, which lets The Big Fake turn conspiracy into suspenseful drama that keeps Toni close to the epicenter of the kidnapping. Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Jan. 2026 It’s made all the more suspenseful for its lead characters’ honest and realistic antics. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspenseful
Adjective
  • His absence in the Warriors’ last home game of the regular season also put a damper on what could have been another enthralling matchup of two of the NBA’s biggest stars.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Welcome back to The Athletic’s title-race tracker, where our data and tactics writers take a look at the key trends behind an enthralling battle for the Premier League crown.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Her talent for channeling this script is the building block for thoughtful, engrossing theater.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Winner of the 2022 Tony Award for Best Play, the taut, engrossing and beautifully scripted play is evocatively and creatively staged by director Kim Strassburger in an arena-style production in Cygnet’s black-box Dottie Studio Theatre.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Watching a prodigy embarrass the world over 72 holes was riveting; equally captivating is following the same person be exposed by life, hubris and ego.
    Mac Engel April 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Although McKellen’s Julian is colorful and riveting, Solomon saw Coel’s Lori as the protagonist from whose perspective the movie would largely be told.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Whitley Hotel Atlanta Buckhead One of Buckhead's most charming properties, The Whitley blends old-school grandeur with cosmopolitan style.
    Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Big-hearted and sharply funny, Lucy Schulman is a charming comedic coming-of-age story from multihyphenate Tribeca alum Ellie Sachs.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Below, find eight of the most captivating golf WAGs to watch.
    Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Royal weddings are always a captivating spectacle.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Even anti-corruption television series have become hits with intriguing plots, punchy lines and superb acting.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The fit is the most intriguing piece of the puzzle.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The lawlessness afoot in Venezuela’s capital city is vibrantly captured in this gripping adaptation of Karina Sainz Borgo’s novel from the filmmaking team behind Bad Hair (Festival 2014).
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Look out for talks by Sarah Wynn-Williams on her bestselling memoir lifting the lid on her time at Facebook; Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall discussing his campaign to get people to eat more fibre; and Anthony Horowitz talking about his latest gripping thriller with author Joe Haddow.
    Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Time will tell, but at the very least this should be the most interesting season of baseball at PNC Park in a long, long time.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Also interesting is that the characters have no faces, in keeping with Dakota art tradition, as is the background of ledger paper.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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