arresting

adjective

ar·​rest·​ing ə-ˈre-stiŋ 

: catching the attention : striking, impressive

an arresting image

arrestingly

ə-ˈre-stiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of arresting

• interesting
• engaging
• intriguing
• fascinating
• absorbing

Examples of arresting in a Sentence

an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The puppeteers, who are often front and center, set the pace for the entire show and create some of the most arresting visual effects, centering their work around the voyages and adventures of two main actors. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026

Perhaps the most arresting example of Assad’s obtuseness came during the first Trump administration. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026

But the most arresting moment came when Lewis, author of The Big Short, shared a morbid statistic about who actually makes money in these environments. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

Nicki has a distinctive flow, an almost arresting look that made the fashion and beauty industries take note and the Trinidadian rapper put her own spin on women’s sexuality and empowerment. —Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of arrest entry 1

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing arresting

• arresting gear

Rhymes for arresting

• attesting
• contesting
• digesting
• divesting
• infesting
• ingesting
• investing
• molesting
• pretesting
• protesting
• requesting
• retesting

Kids Definition

arresting

adjective

ar·​rest·​ing ə-ˈres-tiŋ 

: catching the attention

an arresting painting