suspenseful

adjective

Definition of suspensefulnext
as in enthralling

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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 If the idea is to make the Emmys even less suspenseful, mission accomplished. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 But, though the special effects are killer, what makes the show click is its suspenseful melancholy, as quiet scenes build to jolts so intense that the whole audience screamed. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 Paranormal Activity understands just how much fun that can be, crafting a story so suspenseful, so surprising and so startling that the audience’s screams become a soundtrack all their own. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Watch On Despite containing a plot summary in its title and a tepid reception when it was released, director Andrew Dominik’s meditative film manages to be both suspenseful and insightful. — David Faris, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026 The Coen brothers’ quiet debut film is among their most suspenseful works. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 None of this is remotely credible, or particularly suspenseful. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 Through engaging characters and an immersive historical setting, the novel invites readers on a suspenseful journey filled with mystery, sacrifice, and hope. — William Jones, USA Today, 30 July 2026 The suspenseful shark sequences in an underwater cage where two distressed heroines Tatiana (Laura Marano) and Kaley (Christina Ochoa) get trapped are shockingly good while a third act ratchets up the blood and the tension. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspenseful
  1. enthralling
  2. engrossing
  3. riveting
  4. charming
  5. captivating
  6. intriguing
  7. gripping
  8. interesting
Adjective
  • By the end of the fight, an enthralling contest which Taylor won by a somewhat wide 27 points to 3, the crowd was on their feet.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Richet turns the ship into an enthralling character, with its pipes and catwalks and tunnels and tubes, some of which become weaponry.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of enthralling
Adjective
  • In 2022, the author of this engrossing investigation travelled to Lagos, Nigeria, to find the person who, years earlier, ensnared his mother in an online romance scam.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The most engrossing aspect of the relationship is that it’s maintained tension.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 June 2026
Definition of engrossing
Adjective
  • Not that Pattinson, who just keeps getting better, isn’t riveting to watch.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Mann delivers a fascinating subversion of the genre, anchored by a riveting Caan performance and some of the most specific set design and camerawork of the director’s career.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of riveting
Adjective
  • The Fantasticks After a record 42-year run Off Broadway, this charming little musical about parents who pretend to feud to get each other’s kids to fall in love is finally hitting Broadway — with a twist.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the procedure transformed him into an unstable super-soldier — capable of being magnetically charming one moment and dangerously chilling the next.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of charming
Adjective
  • Flavors of the Mediterranean On a Princess cruise to Italy, Turkey, and Greece, discover the classical capitals of Rome and Athens along with the captivating Greek Isles.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Hers was a captivating return, combining the innate theatricality of her poise with a bold, sophisticated style steeped in historical references to haute couture.
    — Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of captivating
Adjective
  • There was a seismic roster shift in June, five weeks after another intriguing draft class arrived.
    — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Big games Week three in high school football has so many intriguing games that fans will have lots of choices this week.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of intriguing
Adjective
  • At the same time, each frame builds upon the last to create a gripping, caustically funny narrative about patriarchy, disempowerment and compliance.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Most of the time — most memorably during the film’s gripping, dialogue-free heist sequence — Melville does this without words at all.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of gripping
Adjective
  • This is why silicon photonics is becoming particularly interesting.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Marshall had an interesting 3-yard run in the second quarter.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of interesting

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suspense
suspenseful
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Cite this Entry

“Suspenseful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspenseful. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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