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
Darryn King, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Architecture Structure and exterior design The most arresting features of the Sydney Opera House are, of course, its overlapping concrete shells, or sails.
—Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 9 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
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
Architecture Structure and exterior design The most arresting features of the Sydney Opera House are, of course, its overlapping concrete shells, or sails.
—Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 9 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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April 16, 2023: DiCaprio is photographed dancing very closely with Cooper's ex Shayk during Coachella. DiCaprio and Shayk at a Coachella after-party on April 16, 2023 Getty Images This is interesting, considering DiCaprio and Cooper have been friends for decades, per the Daily Mail.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
4 May 2025
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Welcome to Taste Test, where every week our critic Jonah Flicker explores the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
4 May 2025
Adjective
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Just a few days ago, the Golden State Warriors held a commanding 3-1 lead in a first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
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The Golden State Warriors travel to the Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs, with the Warriors holding a commanding 3-1 lead and the Rockets looking to extend the series.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 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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The film tells a different story of a far more engaging and charismatic character, and the danger of any sign of fragility in women holding positions of power, says Cataldo.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
8 May 2025
-
Furthermore, many Arabic language programs lack structured curricula, and educators often struggle to provide engaging and efficient instruction.—
Geoffrey Alphonso,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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While Steve Austin's presence at WWE WrestleMania 41 was a highlight for many fans, his entrance wasn't without a minor, yet noticeable, hiccup.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
While all of the men had shaved heads and were wearing cloaks with a mysterious symbol on the back, the group's most noticeable trait was that each and every member had Glasgow smile-type scars carved into their faces.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
28 Apr. 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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The smells, on the other hand, were intriguing—solvents, 3D printers, some other rapid prototyping, or maybe all of it all at once.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
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Even for an amateur baker like myself, some of the most intriguing recipes fall in the dessert chapter—because who wouldn’t want chewy tahini blondies or a coffee and cream icebox cake to end the meal?—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arresting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arresting. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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