hair-raisers

noun

plural of hair-raiser
as in thrillers
something (as a close contest) that induces much suspense as to its outcome since they had been dating for five years, her answer to his proposal wasn't exactly a hair-raiser

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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 hair-raisers The streamer has a deep bench of horror films from all eras of cinema among its offerings, from influential classics like Nosferatu (1922) to newer hair-raisers like Possessor (2020), and all kinds of thrillers and chillers in between. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-raisers
thrillers
Noun
  • The author’s thrillers will be available in the United States and Canada for the first time in an eight-book deal through Hanover Square Press, kicking off with Conviction in 2027.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Romance stories and drama thrillers are still the dominant genres for short-form serials and recurring series, but that mix is changing.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrillers

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Cite this Entry

“Hair-raisers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raisers. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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