thriller
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four terms describe stories that keep an audience engaged, but they differ in the emotion they prioritise. A thriller aims for sustained excitement and tension throughout the narrative — the audience feels a constant pull to know what comes next. A mystery focuses on an intellectual puzzle, typically a crime that needs solving, and builds curiosity about the answer. Suspense is a broader term that describes the anxious anticipation itself; any story (thriller, mystery, or horror) can be suspenseful. A crime drama centres on the world of criminals and law enforcement, often with a realistic tone rather than heightened tension. Horror seeks to frighten or disgust, using shock and dread as its main tools. For example, a reader who wants a fast, edge-of-the-seat experience picks up a thriller, while someone who enjoys piecing together clues reaches for a mystery.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'thriller' was formed in English by adding '-er' (a suffix meaning 'something that does something') to the verb 'thrill', which originally meant 'to pierce or penetrate' in Old English. Over centuries, the physical sense of piercing gave way to an emotional one — being deeply moved or excited. By the early 1900s, 'thriller' was used to describe books and films that produce a thrilling, suspenseful reaction in the audience.