cliff-hanger
noun
cliff-hang·er ˈklif-ˌhaŋ-ər 
1
: an adventure serial or melodrama
especially : one presented in installments each ending in suspense
2
: a contest whose outcome is in doubt up to the very end
broadly : a suspenseful situation
cliff-hanging
ˈklif-ˌhaŋ-iŋ
adjective 
Synonyms
- hair-raiser
- nail-biter
- suspenser
- thriller
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1
cliff-hangers
noun
as in thrillers
something (as a close contest) that induces much suspense as to its outcome finally, a Super Bowl game that turned out to be a real cliff-hanger Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- thrillers
- nail-biters
- suspensers
- hair-raisers
- photo finishes
- squeakers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- yawners
- blowouts