1
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commanding
likely to attract attention
at seven feet tall, he's an arresting figure in any crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arresting
Richard Fausset, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
As Andrew Lloyd Webber’s go-to orchestrator during some of the composer’s most creative years, Cullen has translated many of the composer’s most arresting melodies into lush, full-bodied and evocative orchestral music.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025
Remember when California was arresting people walking alone on the beach?
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arresting
Adjective
Some of the most arresting pages in the series depict Mr. Sattouf’s experience as a child in Ter Maaleh, his father’s village.
—Richard Fausset, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
As Andrew Lloyd Webber’s go-to orchestrator during some of the composer’s most creative years, Cullen has translated many of the composer’s most arresting melodies into lush, full-bodied and evocative orchestral music.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
This comes on the heels of the Legislature and governor passing a law that calls for arresting people who sleep in public.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025
Remember when California was arresting people walking alone on the beach?
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arresting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arresting
Adjective
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One thing that might be interesting is the one with the ping pong paddle, Issue 6, because the black logo didn’t work over it.—
Kei Lim
June 9,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
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And a bigger body has a narrative of getting to that size, so that narrative in itself was quite interesting.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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The defending champions must find a way to slow down the duo of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Game 2, or the series could be heading to Florida with the Oilers holding a commanding 2-0 lead.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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Early polls, such as an Inside California Politics/Emerson survey show her with a commanding 31% to 8% lead over former Rep. Katie Porter, who was in second, among likely voters.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Pretending to be dead, Gi-hun and his friends launch a surprise attack, overpowering the guards and seizing their weapons, leaving only one guard alive.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) forces have since received training by Russian forces in the Far East and first engaged in combat with Ukrainian military in November, subsequently seizing their first village in Kursk, Plekhovo, earlier this month.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The director led the way past Dig HQ, past the two lichen-shaggy standing stones in the garden, and down a slope to Structure 27, Tam running ahead and stopping at the edge of the trench.—
Peter Ross,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
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What’s stopping organizations from reaping the benefits of AI right now?—
Jesse Todd,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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All these parts are rendered less engaging by the use of Latin.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
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There’s nothing wrong with schools shaping and engaging kids’ hearts and values and beliefs, alongside language and literacy and math.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The dog's most distinctive feature—a noticeable facial deformity—raised immediate questions.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
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Even more notably, Tha Carter V sold a massive 480,000 units in its debut week back in 2018, underscoring a noticeable slide in first-week performance over the years.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Even if researchers are able to cobble together the funds to help their participants exit trials safely, halting studies early could still nullify the contributions of the people who enrolled.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
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Even if researchers are able to cobble together the funds to help their participants exit trials safely, halting studies early could still nullify the contributions of the people who enrolled.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One of the other intriguing points flagged by the data shows that those five clubs’ squads are worth more than the remaining 27 teams added together, as fears emerge about the quality gap between some teams.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arresting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arresting. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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