# suspenseful

/səˈspɛnsfəɫ/ (US) · /səspˈɛnsfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suspenseful
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

keeping you waiting or worrying because you do not know what will happen next. It describes a situation or story that makes you feel excited and nervous at the same time.

For teachers: causing a state of anxious uncertainty or excitement. Often describes narratives or events where the outcome is unknown or delayed.

## Examples

- The movie has a very suspenseful ending.
- The audience sat in silence, waiting for the suspenseful reveal of the winner.
- The author builds a suspenseful atmosphere by withholding key details until the final chapter, keeping readers engaged through a sense of impending doom.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.