pulse-pounding
Makes heartbeat quicken
Pulse-pounding describes something so exciting or suspenseful that it seems to make your heart beat faster: a pulse-pounding chase scene, pulse-pounding action from start to finish.
The word is common in movie reviews and book blurbs, sometimes to the point of cliché.
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
- edge-of-seatIntensely suspenseful experience
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
- grippingHolding attention completely
page-turner · tension · chase · escape · countdown · showdown · confrontation · climax
Sudden shocking moment
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
- screamingLoud, shrill vocalizing
monster · stalker · darkness · panic · fleeing · haunted · survival · prey
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- racingSpeed competition sport
- thumpingHeavy, dull beating
- cardiovascularOf heart and blood vessels
- surgeSudden powerful increase
rush · flutter · throbbing · quickening · elevated · hammering · chest · accelerated
Work beyond scheduled hours
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- comebackRecovery after decline
- buzzer-beaterScore at the horn
- sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
matchpoint · knockout · rally · underdog · victory · defeat · clutch · record-breaking
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
- edge-of-seatIntensely suspenseful experience
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
gripping · page-turner · tension · chase · escape · countdown · showdown · confrontation · climax · stakes
jump-scare
Sudden shocking moment
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
screaming · monster · stalker · darkness · panic · fleeing · haunted · survival · prey · lurking
heartbeat
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- racingSpeed competition sport
- thumpingHeavy, dull beating
- cardiovascularOf heart and blood vessels
surge · rush · flutter · throbbing · quickening · elevated · hammering · chest · accelerated · coursing
overtime
Work beyond scheduled hours
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- comebackRecovery after decline
- buzzer-beaterScore at the horn
sprint · matchpoint · knockout · rally · underdog · victory · defeat · clutch · record-breaking · competition
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
shootout · blockbuster · spectacle · daredevil · high-octane · freefall · crash · impact · velocity · collision
- suspensesuspense, suspenseful, tension, nail-biter, nail-biting
pulse-poundingboring
Failing to engage interest
dull · tedious · monotonous · unexciting · humdrum
pound, pulse, impulse, pounding, impulsive, repulse, compulsion, pulsate, compulsive