Synonyms of gripped

gripped

verb

past tense of grip

1

as in clenched

to have or keep in one's hands

gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clenched
• clutched
• held
• grabbed
• carried
• cradled
• clung (to)
• took
• grasped
• snatched
• hugged
• trapped
• seized
• captured
• handled
• clasped
• held on to
• bore
• felt
• hooked
• grappled
• hung on to
• caught
• fingered
• landed
• bagged
• nailed
• snapped (up)
• embraced
• snared
• corralled
• nabbed
• pawed
• collared
• latched (on or onto)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• handed
• gave
• dropped
• delivered
• unclasped
• rendered
• released
• relinquished
• unhanded
• yielded
• ceded
• turned over
• handed out
• handed over
• gave up

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

• fascinated
• enchanted
• mesmerized
• thrilled
• spellbound
• enthralled
• hypnotized
• arrested
• caught up
• entranced
• bedazzled
• enraptured
• engrossed
• involved
• charmed
• engaged
• bewitched
• beguiled
• absorbed

3

as in interested

to hold the attention of

that movie will grip any true sports car fan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interested
• intrigued
• immersed
• occupied
• fascinated
• involved
• attracted
• busied
• engrossed
• engaged
• enthralled
• absorbed
• enwrapped
• distracted
• enchanted
• preoccupied
• bemused
• captivated
• obsessed
• caught up
• caught one's eye
• charmed
• mesmerized
• bewitched
• hypnotized
• allured
• beguiled
• hogged
• monopolized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bored
• tired
• wearied
• jaded
• palled

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grasped
• held
• took
• clasped
• clenched
• clutched
• laid hold of
• caught
• held on (to)
• snatched
• seized
• hung on to
• clung (to)
• nabbed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dropped
• released
• freed
• discharged
• liberated
• passed
• gave
• handed
• delivered
• transferred
• transmitted
• relinquished
• entrusted
• turned over
• handed over
• unhanded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gripped

The action mercifully settles into a less disorienting rhythm before too long, but the choppy prologue at least has the benefit of conveying the tense disarray that has gripped the shores of Ithaca in the decades since King Odysseus left for battle. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 July 2026

Yet as economic and political turmoil has gripped the world in recent years, the forum has all too often occupied the sidelines. — Peter Rough, Washington Post, 15 July 2026

Heavy rain and flooding are breaking a heat wave that gripped New York City and much of the Northeast last week. — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Lights had been switched off to conserve electricity amid fuel shortages that have gripped Cuba since the beginning of the year. — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026

The storm came as brutal heat gripped the state, with temperatures hovering around 100 under sunny skies across the state for most of the Independence Day. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Scorching temperatures in the 90s have gripped the city for the past several days, with the mercury hitting 100 degrees in Central Park on Thursday afternoon. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

The 250th anniversary of American independence is colliding with a country gripped by political polarization and a heat wave bearing down on millions of people across multiple states as celebrations get underway across the United States on Saturday. — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026

Like much of Europe, Romania has been gripped by a heatwave this week, with temperatures in some areas forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). — ABC News, 1 July 2026