heart-stopping

adjective

heart-stop·​ping ˈhärt-ˌstä-piŋ How to pronounce heart-stopping (audio)
: extremely shocking or exciting
a heart-stopping adventure
heart-stopping views
heart-stoppingly adverb
a heart-stoppingly suspenseful film
a heart-stoppingly beautiful view

Examples of heart-stopping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After a heart-stopping semifinal where the U.S. men’s national soccer team just edged out Jamaica with a score of 3-2, the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Final moves onto the championship match featuring the top two national soccer teams — the United States and Mexico — in the Americas. Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2024 Dazzling illumination and overwhelming orchestral effect, not color, made this heart-stopping. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The biggest comeback since 1982 (2013 season) Green Bay's 2013 heart-stopping finale win over the Chicago Bears to reach the playoffs doesn't happen without Green Bay's shocking win in Dallas two weeks earlier. Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024 His 2015 lethal injection was called off after a doctor realized the wrong heart-stopping drug had been delivered. USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 That marked the beginning of San Francisco's decade of dynasty, with Montana helming the team to a dominant 38-16 win over the Miami Dolphins in 1985 and a heart-stopping victory four years later, beating the Bengals again four years later, 20-16, in 1989. Dave Pehling, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2024 Events such as bull riding, barrel racing, and bronc riding captivate audiences with heart-stopping action and displays of sheer courage. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 1 Feb. 2024 The 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers in a heart-stopping 24-21 match that featured a star effort from 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy. Justin Klawans, The Week Us, theweek, 21 Jan. 2024 Luis Angel Gomez - Pool/Getty Images As a cycling fan who roots for the underdog, this was a heart-stopping moment. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heart-stopping.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heart-stopping was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near heart-stopping

Cite this Entry

“Heart-stopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heart-stopping. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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