SUSPENSEFUL Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

suspenseful

adjective

Definition of suspenseful

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 The best of these films are simultaneously suspenseful, thought-provoking and dazzling. — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026 Regardless, even if one of the seasonal titles doesn’t make it to the top spot in 2026, this year’s Halloween showdown could very well be the start of a newly suspenseful annual race on the Hot 100, one likely to continue in 2027 and beyond. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026 There’s this funny conceit that all the people in Slough House are a bit of screwups, but the show also gets very emotional and suspenseful, and the stakes are often very high. — Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspenseful

Adjective

Kamran Pasha has devised a truly unique take that honors the source material while expanding it in an enthralling, unexpected way.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
And in the face of such adversity, the fanbase has opted for a measure of gallows humor – symbolized by hundreds of inflatable yellow bananas that punctuated the capacity crowd that was treated to an enthralling match against PSG.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthralling

Adjective

Many horror hits are more fascinating or engrossing than terrifying.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026
However, as Pamela Colloff reveals in her taut and engrossing investigation, a scheming jailhouse snitch’s testimony was largely responsible for putting Dailey on death row for decades.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of engrossing

Adjective

Greene purists, as well as the author himself, bristled at the way Gere’s casting transformed the story, but as pure drama the movie is riveting — and a fascinating case study in just how much a star persona can affect a film.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Consistently riveting and beautifully shot by Roger Deakins, this is top-tier Bond.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of riveting

Adjective

The charming downtown Banff is about two miles down the road; the hotel offers a free shuttle into town every 30 minutes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Fisher lived in a charming Spanish-style estate high up in the Hollywood Hills, and her mom, at Fisher’s behest, moved into the neighboring cottage.

— Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of charming

Adjective

Abby, who killed Joel in season two, is a far more interesting character, and Kaitlyn Dever is simply a much more captivating actress.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The world and the people in it are incredibly captivating and entertaining.

— Peter White, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of captivating

Adjective

And while a country pivot for Boyz II Men is plenty intriguing in and of itself, the 2027 album will also be the trio’s first in 10 years since 2017’s Under the Streetlight.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026
Still, there's something intriguing about the idea of a child becoming an investor before graduating from high school.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of intriguing

Adjective

The robot incorporates advanced hands for more precise gripping and Smart Limbs, which allow individual limbs to respond independently to their surroundings.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
Both gripping and historically vital, the film struck us with how urgently its questions about justice, race, and bodily autonomy still resonate today.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of gripping

Adjective

An interesting detail is that four ESSMs can fit into one compatible launch cell.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
That leaves an interesting question about how cities should handle future confrontations between pedestrians and commercial robots.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of suspenseful

adjective

Example Sentences

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