Suspense vs. Cliffhanger — What's the Difference?

Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, being undecided, or being doubtful. In a dramatic work, suspense is the anticipation of the outcome of a plot or of the solution to an uncertainty, puzzle, or mystery, particularly as it affects a character for whom one has sympathy.

A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode or a film of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is hoped to incentivize the audience to return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma.

Anxiety or apprehension resulting from an uncertain, undecided, or mysterious situation

A melodramatic serial in which each episode ends in suspense.

The quality in a work of narrative art, such as a novel or film, that causes the audience to experience pleasurable excitement and anticipation regarding an outcome.

A suspenseful situation occurring at the end of a chapter, scene, or episode.

(Archaic) The state or quality of being undecided, uncertain, or indecisive

A contest so closely matched that the outcome is uncertain until the end.

The condition of being suspended; cessation for a time.

(narratology) An ending or stopping point calculated to leave a story unresolved, in order to create suspense.

The pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc.

(by extension) An outcome which is awaited with keen anticipation, especially one which is delayed for a period of time or which is not known until the last minute.

The unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation.

A contest whose outcome is uncertain up to the very end.

(legal) A temporary cessation of one's right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.

An episode of a drama that ends in suspense.

A deadline.

A contest whose outcome is uncertain up to the very end

(obsolete) Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.

An episode that ends in suspense

(obsolete) Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.

Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.

Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.

The state of being suspended; specifically, a state of uncertainty and expectation, with anxiety or apprehension; indetermination; indecision; as, the suspense of a person waiting for the verdict of a jury.

Cessation for a time; stop; pause.

A temporary cessation of one's right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.

Apprehension about what is going to happen

An uncertain cognitive state;

Excited anticipation of an approaching climax;