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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gripped
Mali, a former French colony long gripped by insurgency, is governed by a military junta following consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.
—
Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
In 2020, as the pandemic gripped the world, Cord Jefferson, Max Read, Emma Carmichael and Leah Beckmann spent their days in a Zoom writers room immersed in a project that hit close to home.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Scientists and public health experts are gripped by the hantavirus situation too, but for different reasons.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 7 May 2026
During their stroll, Monroe stands over a subway grate as the whoosh of a passing train blows the skirt of her white halter dress up, a welcome respite from the sweltering heatwave that has gripped the city.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
His hand gripped the side bar of an umbrella stroller that had a toddler kicking her legs up, dressed in daisy-print overalls.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
After jubilation gripped the players against Everton, Nuno walked on the field to congratulate Wilson.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 1 May 2026
After record drought has gripped the Southeast, fueling fast-moving wildfires in Georgia and Florida, forecasters say some relief may be in sight from rain set to fall later in the week, while more changes to the weather are coming nationwide to close out April.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Her back stiffens, and her usually stoic face is visibly gripped by fear.
—Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
In 2020, as the pandemic gripped the world, Cord Jefferson, Max Read, Emma Carmichael and Leah Beckmann spent their days in a Zoom writers room immersed in a project that hit close to home.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Scientists and public health experts are gripped by the hantavirus situation too, but for different reasons.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 7 May 2026
During their stroll, Monroe stands over a subway grate as the whoosh of a passing train blows the skirt of her white halter dress up, a welcome respite from the sweltering heatwave that has gripped the city.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
His hand gripped the side bar of an umbrella stroller that had a toddler kicking her legs up, dressed in daisy-print overalls.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
After jubilation gripped the players against Everton, Nuno walked on the field to congratulate Wilson.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 1 May 2026
After record drought has gripped the Southeast, fueling fast-moving wildfires in Georgia and Florida, forecasters say some relief may be in sight from rain set to fall later in the week, while more changes to the weather are coming nationwide to close out April.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Her back stiffens, and her usually stoic face is visibly gripped by fear.
—Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripped
Verb
-
Participants alternately clenched their toes (rock), spread them apart (paper) and crossed the big toe over the others (scissors).—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
May watched, jaw clenched, arms crossed, eyes glassy.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Snakes are another species that Attenborough has been fascinated with for decades, despite some being more poisonous than others.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
Yoo is fascinated by how Love Is Blind might fare in Korea.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
As to why the format interested him, Hawley pointed to a similarity with Fargo.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Cindy would give Ann gourmet popcorn or maybe a sweatshirt from her alma mater, while Ann would give Cindy a special book on a topic that interested her, or maybe an old batch of family recipes.—
Ross Channing Reed,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maybe soccer has a world of fans who haven’t quite grasped this new-money concept.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
His survival so far depended on the passion of people who may not have grasped how grave his situation was.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Roach clutched a black Mini Kelly (of course Hermès gave him the best color) and his long black hair never looked a strand out of place.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
5 May 2026
-
Parents clutched their children closer.—
Amy Driscoll,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Everyone was enchanted by the idea of Nicole as a pro wrestler.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Irvi was enchanted and unnerved by Oaxaca’s clear blue skies, unmarred by skyscrapers.—
Caitlin Dickerson,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tocchet reiterated Wednesday that he’s intrigued by Barkey’s versatility.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
He was intrigued by Caglianone’s approach throughout Saturday’s victory.—
Jaylon Thompson
May 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 May 2026
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 13 May. 2026.
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