gripping

1 of 2

adjective

grip·​ping ˈgri-piŋ 

: taking a powerful hold upon one's interest or feelings

a gripping thriller

Shabba Ranks has a gripping baritone voice that ranges from bedroom purr to locker-room-boast roar.

—Mark Coleman

grippingly adverb

a grippingly honest performance

gripping

2 of 2

present participle of grip entry 1

Examples of gripping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This visually stunning documentary series captures the gripping cat-and-mouse game between investigators and perpetrators from up close. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

His account of his incarceration, with its mind-numbing routines, gang hegemony and intermittent violence, is equally gripping. — Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Viewers praised the series for its gripping action sequences, inventive camerawork and compelling performances. — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

With Andrew Louis at the helm once again, and a gripping narrative set against the vibrant cultural landscape of Madurai, season 2 takes the franchise to new heights. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gripping

• chipping
• clipping
• dipping
• dripping
• flipping
• nipping
• ripping
• shipping
• sipping
• skipping
• slipping
• snipping