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
The extraordinary media interest in the case, which gripped Australia for much of the 10-week trial, had been traumatic for the family, Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson - who was invited to the lunch but declined - said at the same hearing.
—
Alasdair Pal, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Let’s say, a friend of mine, on her walk back from her barista job in South Philly, began to think about a certain someone from her past who had once gripped her heart.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Read about the poisoning case that has gripped much of the world’s attention.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Mike’s journey in the film is one of abnegation and humility, which Arbery (and, presumably, Gavras) might suggest is one way to deal with the ever-mounting apocalyptic unease that has gripped much of the world of late.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
The need for such shelters came into sharp focus in January 2025, when prolonged periods of frigid winter weather gripped Louisville.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
The search had gripped the small Illinois community and involved over 60 citizens, police, fire officials, and regional emergency services, including the Missouri Valley Search and Rescue team.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The two-day sweep of campgrounds near Leavenworth, Washington, which involved more than 100 FBI Seattle agents alongside local law enforcement, concluded Tuesday and yielded the first major development in a nationwide hunt that has gripped the public since early summer, Fox 13 Seattle reported.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
While the case will likely make its way to the Supreme Court, today's hearing marks the latest twist in a dramatic standoff that has gripped economists and investors in recent weeks.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Alasdair Pal, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Let’s say, a friend of mine, on her walk back from her barista job in South Philly, began to think about a certain someone from her past who had once gripped her heart.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Read about the poisoning case that has gripped much of the world’s attention.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Mike’s journey in the film is one of abnegation and humility, which Arbery (and, presumably, Gavras) might suggest is one way to deal with the ever-mounting apocalyptic unease that has gripped much of the world of late.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
The need for such shelters came into sharp focus in January 2025, when prolonged periods of frigid winter weather gripped Louisville.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
The search had gripped the small Illinois community and involved over 60 citizens, police, fire officials, and regional emergency services, including the Missouri Valley Search and Rescue team.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The two-day sweep of campgrounds near Leavenworth, Washington, which involved more than 100 FBI Seattle agents alongside local law enforcement, concluded Tuesday and yielded the first major development in a nationwide hunt that has gripped the public since early summer, Fox 13 Seattle reported.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
While the case will likely make its way to the Supreme Court, today's hearing marks the latest twist in a dramatic standoff that has gripped economists and investors in recent weeks.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripped
Verb
-
With every stride, the leader breathes into the whistle clenched between his lips, producing a noise like the courting sigh of some prairie bird.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The result was a tension-release rally in a market that wasn’t all that clenched-up to begin with.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But the idea has always fascinated him.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
So that image has always fascinated me.—
Maria Reva
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Carney said his and Jerome’s first trip to Finland interested two companies in Mooresville.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
-
What interested me about Warren’s book was the emotional honesty and the intimacy of an artist that most people didn’t realize was going through one of the most painful times of his life.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The robot must determine where the object can be safely grasped, whether surfaces will slip or break under pressure, and how weight is distributed.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Supporters remember the painful defeats grasped from the jaws of victory more than easy wins.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Every minute, every second, has to be spent with one’s device clutched in one’s hand.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Children as young as pre-K ran for cover, dove beneath pews or clutched their classmates as teachers shielded them from the barrage, acting instinctively to protect them.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And to those of you who are new, I'm enchanted to meet you.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Experts warn against becoming enchanted with the latest flashy tool.—
Carolyn Said,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When producer Oskar Pimlott came on board, Etzler was considering writing the script himself, but the team was intrigued by the possibility of getting a British voice in there.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
-
However, the pet wasn't interested in the neckwear, but was intrigued about revisiting the pub.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
2 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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