thrill seeking

USAGE SUMMARY

"thrill seeking" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who actively seeks out exciting or adventurous experiences. Example: "His thrill-seeking nature led him to try skydiving for the first time." Alternative expressions include "adventure seeking," "risk taking," and "excitement chasing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This wasn't simple thrill seeking, she argues.

The New York Times - Books

Once their problems were viewed mainly as a form of road rage or thrill seeking.

The New York Times

Thrill seeking and social identity variables did not explain any significant additional variance.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

To elaborate would dampen your thrill seeking and I don't want to ruin your guilty pleasure.

Huffington Post

A pendulum swinging back and forth, dropping you at thrill seeking speeds.

Huffington Post

Adolescence is a developmental stage characterized by increased play behavior, thrill seeking, risk taking, puberty, and transition to independence.

Alcohol research : current reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This was anything but thrill-seeking.

The New York Times

It also sounded curious and thrill-seeking.

The New York Times - Arts

A thrill-seeking opportunist or a brave Confederate patriot?

The New York Times

It is possible that thrill-seeking nihilists picked a target tailor-made for deflecting suspicion.

The Economist

"They often masturbate after their groping attacks, so the inappropriate touching is a thrill-seeking act.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thrill seeking" as a compound noun when referring to the activity in general, but apply a hyphen (thrill-seeking) when it functions as an adjective before a noun, such as in "thrill-seeking behavior" or "thrill-seeking enthusiasts".

Common error

Avoid using "thrill seeking" as a continuous verb form where a simpler construction would work. Instead of saying "he was thrill seeking in the mountains", use "he was seeking thrills" or "he was engaging in thrill seeking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thrill seeking" primarily functions as a compound noun (gerund phrase) when used to denote the concept of pursuing intense experiences. In many instances identified by Ludwig, it acts as a direct object or the subject of a sentence. When it precedes another noun, it shifts to an adjective phrase, where a hyphen is conventionally added (thrill-seeking).

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "thrill seeking" is a well-established English phrase used to describe the active pursuit of excitement and danger. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and usable expression, particularly prevalent in journalistic and scientific writing. While the open form is used as a noun, the hyphenated form is the standard for adjectival use. It is closely related to clinical terms like "sensation seeking" and informal descriptors like "adrenaline junkie". Writers should be mindful of the hyphenation rule to maintain professional clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensation seeking

A more clinical or psychological term for the same personality trait

adrenaline junkie

A more informal and colloquial way to describe a person who seeks thrills

excitement chasing

Active phrasing that suggests a constant need for stimulation

risk taking

Broader in scope, focusing on the danger rather than just the excitement

adventure seeking

Suggests a more wholesome or travel-oriented pursuit of new experiences

danger seeking

Directly highlights the hazardous nature of the activities

novelty seeking

Focuses on the search for newness rather than necessarily high-intensity thrills

daredevilry

Emphasizes the recklessness and public performance of dangerous acts

hedonism

Implies a general pursuit of pleasure, which may or may not include high risk

daring

An adjective or noun focused on the courage required for the act

FAQs

What is a more professional synonym for "thrill seeking"?

In academic or medical contexts, you should use the term "sensation seeking", as it is the standard terminology in psychology.

How do I use "thrill seeking" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun, such as in "his penchant for thrill seeking led him to skydiving", or as an adjective, like in "the "adventure seeking" tourist signed up for the most dangerous excursion".

Is "thrill seeking" always hyphenated?

No, you only hyphenate it when it modifies a noun. For example, in "she enjoys thrill seeking", there is no hyphen, but in "she is a "risk taking" adventurer", a hyphen is typically used if you replaced it with thrill-seeking.

What is the difference between "thrill seeking" and an "adrenaline junkie"?

While both refer to a desire for excitement, "adrenaline junkie" is an informal label for a person, whereas "thrill seeking" is the noun describing the behavior itself.