thriller

noun

thrill·​er ˈthri-lər How to pronounce thriller (audio)
Synonyms of thrillernext
: one that thrills
especially : a work of fiction or drama designed to hold the interest by the use of a high degree of intrigue, adventure, or suspense

Synonyms of thriller

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Examples of thriller in a Sentence

His latest novel is a political thriller. those television awards are hardly thrillers since the same people win year after year
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Why did mysteries and thrillers die back in the late 20th and early 21st centuries? — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026 Readers can’t seem to get enough of thrillers and mysteries, and there’s no shortage of writers eager to deliver them. — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 5 July 2026 After four weekends of release, the alien thriller should reach a North American tally of $104 million. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 July 2026 Obsession, the blockbuster horror thriller starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, hit another major box office milestone over the weekend. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for thriller

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thriller was in 1889

Phrases Containing thriller

Rhymes for thriller

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Browse Nearby Words

thrilled to death/pieces
thriller
thrillful
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Cite this Entry

“Thriller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thriller. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thriller

noun
thril·​ler ˈthril-ər How to pronounce thriller (audio)
: one that thrills
especially : a work of fiction or drama with a great deal of action, mystery, adventure, or suspense

More from Merriam-Webster on thriller

Nglish: Translation of thriller for Spanish Speakers

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