as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
I found the exhibit on the Holocaust intensely gripping and quite moving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in intriguing
to hold the attention of
that movie will grip any true sports car fan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grasping
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the baby gripped my fingers and wouldn't let go
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gripping
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
The ability to convey the high stakes of Syrian immigrants’ experience in Austria through the details and rhythms of everyday life is emotionally gripping.
—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 June 2026
In the shadow of Tennessee’s Signal and Lookout mountains, 8-year-old Beckham has been balancing on a fence for more than three hours, gripping a handwritten note and waiting for Spain’s national team to emerge.
—
Leah Willingham,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
The watch flexes during the Finals have been equally gripping, with A-listers and players alike flexing enviable wristwear courtside.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
The ability to convey the high stakes of Syrian immigrants’ experience in Austria through the details and rhythms of everyday life is emotionally gripping.
—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
From this gripping moment, our film reveals humanity’s greatest adventure in space, uncovering the origin story of NASA and the Apollo program, one that reflects our precarious times.
—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 June 2026
In the shadow of Tennessee’s Signal and Lookout mountains, 8-year-old Beckham has been balancing on a fence for more than three hours, gripping a handwritten note and waiting for Spain’s national team to emerge.
—
Leah Willingham,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
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That could perhaps create more pressure for Burrows to have a strong outing Tuesday, or create an interesting conversation around Arrighetti.
-
Well, its’ interesting because for many years the Republican Party revered Reagan much more than Nixon, partly because Reagan was a successful president and Nixon, of course, ended his presidency in disgrace.
Verb
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While not everyone experiences such dramatic effects, experts say stress, clenching and even past trauma can contribute to TMJ issues.
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The Beloved, his first film in Competition at Cannes, is an incredible achievement that builds on all those films and leaves them standing in the dust, hitting all the same tense throat-clenching beats but somehow transcending genre altogether.
Verb
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Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.
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Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.
Verb
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The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.
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His 6-foot-6 frame and power potential offer intriguing athletic tools.
Verb
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But the combatants kept grasping and tugging each other off-balance.
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The initiative aims to address one of industrial robotics’ biggest challenges—grasping and manipulation—while improving automation capabilities and potentially reducing engineering time for handling applications by up to 30 percent.
Adjective
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What Dave Gallagher and the AnimSchool Studios team have achieved is remarkable, creating a visually stunning, emotionally engaging series that has already built a passionate audience through its own merit.
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Mahjong, which is strategic, social and mentally engaging, fits squarely into that category.
Verb
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The hosts discuss Sorsby as a product of both his own mistakes and opportunistic pearl clutching among college sports leaders.
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Scotland’s Tartan Army, thousands strong in kilts and clutching replicas of the gold World Cup Trophy, marched into Miami ahead of Wednesday evening’s World Cup game against Brazil at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Verb
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The rookie showman is proving his mettle as part of the Caballero Circus, a five-generation family of performers, by enchanting audiences with his charismatic stage presence and sharp coordination.
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That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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