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
Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
The streamer will give this gripping and intense film — which is a cautionary letter about the nuclear stockpile across the world — a theatrical, qualifying play in theaters starting October 10.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Therein lies the appeal of the series, which offers a weekly dose of gripping medical cases as well as an uplifting message for anyone trying to start anew.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
Five years after the release of its predecessor, Yōtei expands upon Tsushima in every direction — its characters are more complex, its story more gripping, and its visuals more stunning.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
The streamer will give this gripping and intense film — which is a cautionary letter about the nuclear stockpile across the world — a theatrical, qualifying play in theaters starting October 10.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Check out the full list of gripping new films, series, and documentaries below.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Therein lies the appeal of the series, which offers a weekly dose of gripping medical cases as well as an uplifting message for anyone trying to start anew.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
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Add in the fact that Woolen is only 26 years old and things get even more interesting.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Safdie takes a story of passion and fury, of rage and torment, and reduces it to the arm’s-length mode of the interesting.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wole faced fixedly forward, both fists clenching the steering wheel.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The decision led to his being wiped during summer league, a good example of a player having his heart in the right place without fully grasping the consequences.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While not tack-sharp like its GT4 sibling, the GTS features steering response that’s a top-shelf lesson in basic physics; low weight, low CG, and having all the weight centered between the axles makes for an authentically engaging experience.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
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This puzzle book provides hours of engaging activities that don't require batteries or Wi-Fi.—
Gabriela Garcia,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In her post, Audrey and her little one can be seen snuggling up together, with her baby boy clutching her finger.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Ginsberg took the stage, clutching his typewritten pages.—
Gerard DeGroot,
Air Mail,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then the picture begins to blur before coming back into clear focus to reveal Novak, still enchanting at 92, standing in a room filled with her paintings.—
Jeremy Helligar,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Almost as a cry for help, just holding onto her last bit of identity and not having a lot of time to do things on her own time.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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In case that wasn't enough of a wink from the show's creators, there's a scene in the finale where the head nurse at the institution holding Gein advises him to write a book, noting that so many other people have taken liberties with his story.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Keeping that in mind, Las Vegas has been linked as a potential trade suitor for a very intriguing dynamic defensive back.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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In order to determine if the intriguing minerals were produced by microbial metabolism or an abiotic process, samples collected by the rover would need to be delivered to Earth for further analysis, team members have stressed.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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