thrilling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthri-liŋ How to pronounce thrilling (audio)
Definition of thrillingnext
as in exciting
causing great emotional or mental stimulation a thrilling adventure movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thrilling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of thrill
as in electrifying
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of I was thrilled to hear that you got the promotion that you'd been so desperately wanting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 thrilling
Adjective
Expect a classic that comes down to the final minutes, with FIU making enough plays to secure a thrilling, high-scoring road victory. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 The Bullpen is back in action as all-new Editor-in-Chief Stephen Wacker charts the thrilling future of the Marvel Universe for the first time…and probably gets in trouble for saying too much! — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
Rooted in sustainable dining, Fallow’s approach is about elevating humble produce to thrilling new heights. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is fixing its broken yeti, the star of thrilling roller coaster Expedition Everest that has been busted for about 20 years. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrilling
  1. exciting
  2. electrifying
  3. breathtaking
  4. interesting
  5. intriguing
Adjective
  • That performance and a handful of others leads the way as the UFC wrapped up an exciting event from Shanghai.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While a lot of the shorts are fully animated, the parts where this cartoon interacts with the real world were the most exciting then and are still a delight now.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of exciting
Verb
  • Enjoy vibrant Caribbean sounds and rhythms with electrifying performances.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Both groups – &TEAM on Night 1 and JO1 on Night 3 – were electrifying – and even viral.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of electrifying
Adjective
  • Nvidia's giveback Friday was certainly not because the company didn't report an amazing, if not breathtaking, quarter.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The experience goes far beyond the golf course; Palmares is known across the world for having one of the most breathtaking clubhouse environments in all of golf.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Adjective
  • Coach John Harbaugh made the interesting decision Friday night to sit Dart and a number of other starters for a second straight preseason game.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of interesting
Adjective
  • Although not quite as polished on the racial politics front, Lanterns’s third episode is no less intriguing, as an hour of television dedicated not only to answering pressing questions but fleshing out its lead character in disturbing ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Belton is an intriguing player, but Cisco should also see action in certain packages.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of intriguing

Browse Nearby Words

thrillers
thrilling
thrills
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thrilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrilling. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All