SUSPENSEFUL Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

suspenseful

adjective

Definition of suspenseful

as in enthralling

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Recent Examples of suspenseful 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 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 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

Adjective

Movies are supposed to temporarily immerse audiences in enthralling worlds.

— Kelly Allen, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
That alone is intriguing, but what the film uncovers (or perhaps, doesn’t uncover) is even more enthralling.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of enthralling

Adjective

Yet, the show is neither witty enough to be funny nor serious enough to become engrossing.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
At half-time of the mostly engrossing, controversial Manchester derby on Sunday, Marc Guehi was accosted by a Sky Sports reporter and asked a few questions.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of engrossing

Adjective

However, anyone craving a smart, multi-layered crime thriller about moral choices, marital trust, the casualties of capitalism, and the divisions of social and class structures should check out the riveting High and Low.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
The Padres beat the Cubs in two games at Petco Park last week to sweep their Wild Card Series before losing two close, riveting games in Milwaukee.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of riveting

Adjective

The neighborhood/area The fishing village of Conca dei Marini remains a lovely reminder of what this whole coast was once like—sleepy, charming, lost in time.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
This season’s star was the Asa Tote, a large flat architectural shape with asymmetric shoulder straps that shined in its simplicity thanks to the contrasting textures, like in the charming canvas and leather version.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of charming

Adjective

Jackson Reagin, who has a captivating voice, returns to the company to play Sodapop Curtis, the brother who does his best to keep the peace within the family.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Read Cep’s Profile of Kingsolver » Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of captivating

Adjective

The British singer-songwriter and producer began her career as an elusive internet figure with a skill for crafting intriguing earworms.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
That’s why Chicago AF events focus on piquing adults’ interest with intriguing reasons to engage in companionship and activity.

— Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of intriguing

Adjective

Look for bath mats that could be placed on top of other mats with a strong gripping surface on the bottom, or find a novelty bath mat that features an excellent nonslip base.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
The bestselling author of A Fable for the End of the World and A Study in Drowning focuses her newest book on a cast of characters whose roles entangle to create a gripping story.

— Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of gripping

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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of suspenseful

adjective

Example Sentences

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