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
Paula Aceves, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The most arresting gallery in the Aegean, set beneath Jeff Koons’ gorgeous sundial.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Officials said under Homan's leadership, the administration moved away from sweeping urban enforcement operations and refocused efforts on arresting immigrants in the country illegally who also have criminal records.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arresting
Adjective
The way Emma deploys speech — her cruelty in it — was very arresting.
—Paula Aceves, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The most arresting gallery in the Aegean, set beneath Jeff Koons’ gorgeous sundial.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
The government began this week by arresting 27 people on weapons charges.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Officials said under Homan's leadership, the administration moved away from sweeping urban enforcement operations and refocused efforts on arresting immigrants in the country illegally who also have criminal records.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arresting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arresting
Adjective
-
San Diego State took us on a journey that was almost always interesting and often entertaining.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Head down for a late-night drink to run into other stylish, interesting locals who frequent the hangout, who are usually friendly enough to chat or spot you an extra shot of Ògógóró.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Republicans have a less commanding lead, 52-44, among Catholics.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
-
He's gone from about halfway down the list in the betting odds to having a pretty commanding lead over Johnson in Atlanta.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even after seizing a wanted dictator out of Venezuela and while monitoring an air war in Iran.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But seizing it will require more than capital and talent.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than stopping disagreements from happening, this aspect is about repairing any damage left behind.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Tuesday’s game featured intentional clock-stopping, game-extending fouls by the Heat.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
That capacity makes Ederra’s singing more dynamic and engaging.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Because literature is a distillation of our loves and fears, of supposedly beauty and truth, its relationship with Mammon is at least distasteful and at most tragic, but the story of writing’s association itself is certainly an engaging story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The large police presence was noticeable even before the commissioners’ meeting, when 14 city police officers and sheriff’s deputies stood outside.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Fine-line flicks also made a quiet but noticeable debut on runways for Giorgio Armani Prive, Jovana Louis, and Prabal Gurung.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An immigration approach that focuses on apprehending dangerous criminals and steers clear of raiding businesses might help the labor market’s loss of workers.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Federal agents have targeted schools and bus stops, apprehending adults and children.—
Daniel Cueto-Villalobos,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arresting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arresting. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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