Synonyms of arresting

arresting 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈre-stiŋ 

1

as in interesting

holding the attention or provoking interest

an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interesting
• engaging
• intriguing
• fascinating
• absorbing
• provocative
• involving
• exciting
• gripping
• riveting
• enthralling
• engrossing
• consuming
• inspiring
• entertaining
• amazing
• amusing
• immersing
• striking
• attractive
• enchanting
• breathtaking
• electrifying
• unusual
• electric
• charming
• exhilarating
• thrilling
• tantalizing
• stimulating
• alluring
• astonishing
• showy
• rousing
• stirring
• galvanizing
• captivating
• emphatic
• marvellous
• surprising
• hypnotizing
• bewitching
• spellbinding
• wonderful
• mesmerizing
• wondrous
• curious
• astounding
• eventful
• splashy
• marvelous
• odd
• weird
• fabulous
• eye-opening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• heavy
• tedious
• boring
• uninteresting
• dull
• drab
• monotonous
• tiresome
• wearisome
• tiring
• sterile
• unexciting
• discouraging
• pedestrian
• wearying
• pedantic
• demoralizing
• dreary
• operose
• humdrum
• disheartening
• dispiriting

2

as in commanding

likely to attract attention

at seven feet tall, he's an arresting figure in any crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commanding
• noticeable
• prominent
• dramatic
• striking
• remarkable
• impressive
• marked
• brilliant
• pronounced
• conspicuous
• showy
• outstanding
• interesting
• emphatic
• flamboyant
• bold
• eye-catching
• visible
• noisy
• distinguished
• catchy
• splashy
• notable
• loud
• salient
• recognizable
• glaring
• kenspeckle
• noteworthy
• discernible
• discernable
• detectable
• perceptible
• grabby
• eminent
• highlighted
• observable
• bodacious
• fascinating
• ornate
• spectacular
• screaming
• absorbing
• flagrant
• extravagant
• fancy
• riveting
• enthralling
• swanky
• gaudy
• engrossing
• garish
• flashy
• tawdry
• swank
• meretricious
• glitzy
• jazzy
• ostentatious
• opulent
• overwrought
• pretentious
• florid
• spotlighted
• howling
• hifalutin
• glittery
• overdone
• highfalutin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inconspicuous
• subtle
• unobtrusive
• unremarkable
• unnoticeable
• hidden
• concealed
• obscure
• faint
• unemphatic
• unshowy
• shrouded
• dim
• insignificant
• unimportant
• unflamboyant
• modest
• simple
• unaffected
• undistinguished
• restrained
• conservative
• unassuming
• quiet
• understated
• plain
• unpretentious
• subdued
• muted
• unflashy
• toned-down

arresting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arrest

1

as in seizing

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law

the inept robber was promptly arrested by the off-duty policeman he had tried to hold up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seizing
• apprehending
• restraining
• detaining
• grabbing
• capturing
• jailing
• committing
• snatching
• catching
• nailing
• imprisoning
• pinching
• nabbing
• nicking
• incarcerating
• busting
• running in
• collaring
• trapping
• pulling in
• hooking
• handcuffing
• snaring
• confining
• picking up
• grappling
• bagging
• landing
• holding
• getting
• snapping (up)
• binding
• shackling
• locking (up)
• interning
• remanding
• enchaining
• jugging
• fettering
• trammelling
• trammeling
• manacling
• rearresting
• immuring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharging
• releasing
• freeing
• liberating
• springing
• loosening
• emancipating
• loosing
• unchaining
• unbinding

2

as in stopping

to bring (something) to a standstill

cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stopping
• halting
• stalling
• catching
• blocking
• checking
• staying
• hindering
• obstructing
• suspending
• impeding
• stilling
• detaining
• holding
• pulling up
• drawing up
• bringing up
• blockading
• ending
• stemming
• snagging
• holding up
• baffling
• concluding
• clogging
• fetching up
• terminating
• balking
• suppressing
• damming
• holding back
• cutting off
• repressing
• discontinuing
• stunting
• calling
• squashing
• bottlenecking
• turning back
• staunching
• squelching
• reining (in)
• stanching
• choking off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuing
• persisting
• keeping (on)
• moving
• carrying on
• proceeding
• advancing
• running on
• marching
• keeping up
• progressing
• stirring
• pushing
• driving
• going along
• propelling
• spurring
• following through (with)
• impelling
• faring
• actuating
• wending
• goading
• budging

3

as in fascinating

to hold the attention of as if by a spell

the sight of the daredevil walking a tightrope between high-rises arrested area pedestrians and motorists alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fascinating
• enchanting
• gripping
• mesmerizing
• hypnotizing
• thrilling
• spellbinding
• enthralling
• bedazzling
• charming
• entrancing
• catching up
• bewitching
• engaging
• involving
• engrossing
• beguiling
• absorbing
• enrapturing

Examples of arresting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In one of the most arresting sequences in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, the Fremen fighter Chani (Zendaya) teaches the Atreides Duke Paul (Timothée Chalamet) the correct way to sandwalk. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2024

Through it all, the surrogate parent-child relationship between Joel and Ellie shines through, driving the narrative and leading to one of the most arresting final scenes in gaming (and now, in a TV season). —Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2023

Fans listened enraptured by Non’s arresting performance of this profound ballad. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2023

From the 200th anniversary harvest at this château comes a mildly arresting bouquet of red fruit, rum and sandstone with a hint of acidity. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023