1
as in clenched
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gripped
Lecornu’s resignation underscores the paralysis that has gripped France since those inconclusive 2024 elections left no party with an outright majority.
—
Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
But local officials have suggested that many of his claims and social media posts appear to rely on images from 2020, when demonstrations and unrest gripped the city following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
Newly released 911 transcripts reveal the fear and chaos that gripped students, staff and clergy inside a Minneapolis church when a gunman clad in tactical gear opened fire on them in August.
—Michael Dorgan , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Shutdowns are just one symptom of the partisan polarization that has increasingly gripped Congress in recent decades.
—Lazaro Gamio, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
This is quite a breakthrough in the case, which gripped the nation and traumatized the city of Austin.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
But Starmer gripped the American President close, anyhow.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Days after a criminal gang stormed this rural village in Haiti’s northwest, setting fire to the local police substation and looting homes, residents remain gripped by fear amid concerns that the violence isn’t over.
—Ychmuth Corneille, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The shadow leaned down and gripped the man’s face.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
But local officials have suggested that many of his claims and social media posts appear to rely on images from 2020, when demonstrations and unrest gripped the city following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
Newly released 911 transcripts reveal the fear and chaos that gripped students, staff and clergy inside a Minneapolis church when a gunman clad in tactical gear opened fire on them in August.
—Michael Dorgan , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Shutdowns are just one symptom of the partisan polarization that has increasingly gripped Congress in recent decades.
—Lazaro Gamio, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
This is quite a breakthrough in the case, which gripped the nation and traumatized the city of Austin.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
But Starmer gripped the American President close, anyhow.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Days after a criminal gang stormed this rural village in Haiti’s northwest, setting fire to the local police substation and looting homes, residents remain gripped by fear amid concerns that the violence isn’t over.
—Ychmuth Corneille, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The shadow leaned down and gripped the man’s face.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripped
Verb
-
Lalay, a 15-foot crocodile, was not amused and spent half an hour thrashing around with the man’s leg clenched in her teeth, until the park owner clocked her over the head with a block of concrete to get her to let go.—
Kassondra Cloos,
Outside,
10 Sep. 2025
-
And then there’s Eros, also known as Cupid, who flies away with his little buttocks clenched at the least hint of a rational process.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her discovery, her self-creation, her passion, and emergence as an artist felt braided with what had originally fascinated me about paint-making.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Known for roles in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian, Giancarlo admits that antagonists have always fascinated him because of their complexity.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This professional and human aspect really interested me.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
2 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
-
The offensive linemen and running backs have spent more time together in the film room to ensure each responsibility — and the why behind it — is collectively grasped.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Arms stretched wide and his eyes popping even wider, the ball grasped tightly in his left hand, Boise State fifth-year cornerback A’Marion McCoy soaked in the cheers.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Women clutched children in their arms, weeping uncontrollably.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
As Brown crashed hard onto the orange turf of the end zone, his helmet popped off, spinning several yards while Brown continued rolling with the ball clutched in his arms.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dazzled by his older brother’s newfound status as a media sensation, Sheen decided to try acting, too, and was immediately enchanted by the cinematic qualities of being a celebrity.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
-
But to truly understand what enchanted the Fitzgeralds—and continues to allure visitors—go beyond the hotel and explore Antibes.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Film fans will be intrigued by the silent-era gem Frankenstein, from 1910.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Although Ed may have been intrigued by Jorgensen’s life, this, along with Richard Speck’s role in the series, seems more of a fetishization and misplaced preoccupation in a narrative having nothing to do with transgender people.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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