1
as in clenched
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinated
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 interested
to hold the attention of
that movie will grip any true sports car fan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grasped
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
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Recent Examples of gripped
Akaganeite gripped pollutants most strongly, but lepidocrocite had more chemically active sites that triggered faster bond breaking.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
He was immediately gripped by a sport which was so different to any other, one which tested the brain in completely different ways than any other.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
French authorities have arrested several suspects after a frantic manhunt for the men who staged a spectacular daytime heist at the Louvre museum that gripped the world and embarrassed the government in Paris.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Starring Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay and Matt McCoy, the film gripped audiences with its tense portrayal of trust and betrayal within the home.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The marine heatwave that gripped Florida in 2023 was hotter than anything Florida has seen in 150 years, and claimed at least two victims — species of corals now marked ‘functionally extinct’ from Florida’s reefs.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Of course, the PLA isn’t the only military gripped by chaos.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Qing Yuan opened the tap, gripped the edge of the trough, and ducked his head under the water.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors have now filed additional charges against 21-year-old Keon King, escalating the case that has gripped Philadelphia.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
He was immediately gripped by a sport which was so different to any other, one which tested the brain in completely different ways than any other.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
French authorities have arrested several suspects after a frantic manhunt for the men who staged a spectacular daytime heist at the Louvre museum that gripped the world and embarrassed the government in Paris.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Starring Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay and Matt McCoy, the film gripped audiences with its tense portrayal of trust and betrayal within the home.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The marine heatwave that gripped Florida in 2023 was hotter than anything Florida has seen in 150 years, and claimed at least two victims — species of corals now marked ‘functionally extinct’ from Florida’s reefs.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Of course, the PLA isn’t the only military gripped by chaos.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Qing Yuan opened the tap, gripped the edge of the trough, and ducked his head under the water.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors have now filed additional charges against 21-year-old Keon King, escalating the case that has gripped Philadelphia.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripped
Verb
-
Her purplish hands remained clenched on her chest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nat was fascinated by that refusal of categories.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Poukine is fascinated by survival as a slow act of self-rediscovery.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tommaso di Lampedusa’s novel, which looks at the unification of Italy from the perspective of a 20th-century writer, had a modernity that interested me.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Since his death more than two hundred years ago, Christophe’s tragic story has interested a broad array of playwrights, artists, novelists, and filmmakers across the world.—
Marlene L. Daut
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My teacher grasped my wrists, forcing me to pick it up.—
Erin Silvia,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
This time was his time and with Gordon off the pitch, Woltemade grasped it and clung to it.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Knickers were twisted and pearls clutched.—
Dana O'Neil,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Bars and restaurants were already riddled with screens before everyone at the table also clutched one in their hand.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And to those of you who are new, I'm enchanted to meet you.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Like millions of viewers, Rashad Raisani grew enchanted with Music City through watching the soapy nighttime drama Nashville, which captivated fans during its 2012-2018 run and led to a major tourism boom in Nashville and interest in country music.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Although he was married at the time, Lennon immediately was intrigued by Ono, and the two eventually became inseparable creative partners for the rest of his life.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Although Lennon was married at the time, he was immediately intrigued by her, and the two eventually became inseparable creative partners for the rest of his life.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gripped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripped. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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