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
Canada was gripped by the World Series last month and early in November as the Blue Jays, the country’s only MLB team, came agonizingly close to upsetting the Dodgers juggernaut.
—
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The raccoon, who had wrapped both paws around the cone and whose legs gripped the bottom of the cone, eventually slipped off and fell back into the water, just as DeLeo got close to pulling him to safety.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
With a sound reminiscent of artists from Rainbow Kitten Surprise to Zach Bryan, Maeson gripped the audience, who sang along song by song.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2025
Akaganeite gripped pollutants most strongly, but lepidocrocite had more chemically active sites that triggered faster bond breaking.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 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
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
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The raccoon, who had wrapped both paws around the cone and whose legs gripped the bottom of the cone, eventually slipped off and fell back into the water, just as DeLeo got close to pulling him to safety.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
With a sound reminiscent of artists from Rainbow Kitten Surprise to Zach Bryan, Maeson gripped the audience, who sang along song by song.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2025
Akaganeite gripped pollutants most strongly, but lepidocrocite had more chemically active sites that triggered faster bond breaking.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripped
Verb
-
Vande Kolk clenched his teeth to avoid crying.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Her purplish hands remained clenched on her chest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elizabeth is fascinated by insects and science.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But Cowley was American in a crucial way, wearing many hats in his long career, fascinated by the country’s parts, and always seeking to understand the forces that kept it whole and the writers who shared that curiosity.—
Michael Gorra,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 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
-
Cardiologists are intrigued, but cautious.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
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
Verb
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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
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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 13 Nov. 2025.
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