HEART-STOPPING Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

heart-stopping

adjective

ˈhärt-ˌstä-piŋ

Definition of heart-stopping

as in breathtaking

causing great emotional or mental stimulation the movie's climax is a heart-stopping chase through the streets of San Francisco

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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 heart-stopping Uma Thurman’s career-making turn as Marsellus’ wife, Mia, is just one of many heart-stopping performances in a movie that is simultaneously ultraviolent and side-splittingly funny. — David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026 Then Nia fell in love, got dumped, had the cops called on her in a confrontation with her boyfriend—and produced her most heart-stopping work to date. — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026 After more than a month of heart-stopping action, the FIFA men’s World Cup is finally approaching the finish line. — Bob Harkins, New York Times, 16 July 2026 The drama continued Saturday for Messi and Argentina, whose players collapsed to the turf at the end of another heart-stopping match. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heart-stopping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heart-stopping

Adjective

Princess Rajwa was the star of the day, of course, in her breathtaking gown by Elie Saab.

— Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 17 Oct. 2026
Canaletto, a prominent member of the Venetian school, is best known for his breathtaking oil paintings of Venice and London.

— News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of breathtaking

Adjective

An unopened box may look exciting when it is surrounded by balloons, friends and the smell of cake.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
They're packaged quite perfectly for gift-giving in a gift set of four mini bars that are just as exciting to unwrap as an (edible) holiday treat.

— Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

That urgency has marked Holden’s prolific output—especially the thrilling first installment of his Supreme Magnetic series in 2025 and 2022’s Joe Frog—as the Harlem rapper uses his street-hustling past to paint an autobiographical portrait.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Bringing its many moving parts together is an impressive feat — and makes for a thrilling night at the theater.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrilling

Browse Nearby Words

heartsore

heart-stopping

heartstrings

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“Heart-stopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heart-stopping. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of heart-stopping

adjective

Example Sentences

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