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
• showy
• astonishing
• rousing
• stirring
• galvanizing
• captivating
• emphatic
• 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
• detectable
• perceptible
• grabby
• eminent
• highlighted
• observable
• bodacious
• fascinating
• ornate
• spectacular
• screaming
• absorbing
• flagrant
• extravagant
• fancy
• riveting
• enthralling
• gaudy
• engrossing
• garish
• flashy
• tawdry
• swank
• meretricious
• glitzy
• jazzy
• ostentatious
• opulent
• overwrought
• pretentious
• florid
• spotlighted
• howling
• 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
• 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
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of arresting

Adjective

The most arresting aspect of her art is the live show - with Cherie performing barefoot behind a translucent screen for her 40-minute set. — Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 26 Apr. 2026

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony played no small role in lifting the collective mood, preparing Tokyo to create what now feels like the world’s most arresting capital. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

Verb

As the agent got out and struggled to arrest Stanley, Morrow approached and touched the arresting agent’s shoulder, video shows. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Embracing jazz mysticism and trip-hop rhythms, the singer-songwriter takes some worthwhile risks on her arresting new album. — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026