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
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
Gabbard’s appointment was full of risk from the start because of her background, but her inconsequential impact on actual matters of policy might be one more reason to downsize the bloated national-security infrastructure put in place during the panic that gripped America after 9/11.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
But candlemania has gripped the world of interior design, as many crave the soft glow and more natural feel of candlelight, and holders become the ideal vehicle for decor expression without breaking the bank (in most cases).
—Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
With Washington’s attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks are on ice.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Debate has been heated from Wall Street to Hollywood and gripped big trade conferences like the recent exhibitor event CinemaCon in Las Vegas last week.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
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
Gabbard’s appointment was full of risk from the start because of her background, but her inconsequential impact on actual matters of policy might be one more reason to downsize the bloated national-security infrastructure put in place during the panic that gripped America after 9/11.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
But candlemania has gripped the world of interior design, as many crave the soft glow and more natural feel of candlelight, and holders become the ideal vehicle for decor expression without breaking the bank (in most cases).
—Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
With Washington’s attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks are on ice.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Debate has been heated from Wall Street to Hollywood and gripped big trade conferences like the recent exhibitor event CinemaCon in Las Vegas last week.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 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
-
We were fascinated by a broader trend — covered locally by the Chicago Sun-Times and nationally by outlets including CNBC and The New York Times — of people turning the humble 1040 into a form of civil disobedience.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
She was fascinated by the difference in speed between human activity and, say, a stone striking water, rippling outwards.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 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
-
That extra time doesn't necessarily result in the struggling student performing better than the student who grasped the assignment more quickly.—
Ariel Gilreath,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Brooke said moments during filming forced her to confront lingering insecurities about whether her father ever fully grasped her independence and success.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Parents clutched their children closer.—
Amy Driscoll,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
-
Flowers surrounded the baby girl's tiny casket inside the Lawrence Woodward Funeral Home in Crown Heights, as family members clutched each other and said their final goodbyes.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 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
-
He was particularly intrigued by schizophrenia—the pinnacle of madness and the most complex puzzle of all.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Many people like me — scientists and coffee enthusiasts — were intrigued by a long-term study that found that those who drank multiple cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop dementia.—
Richard M. Ransohoff,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 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 6 May. 2026.
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