as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
I found the exhibit on the Holocaust intensely gripping and quite moving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinating
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 intriguing
to hold the attention of
that movie will grip any true sports car fan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grasping
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of gripping
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
In what was an otherwise pretty gripping and funny first episode, Tribal Council was kind of a dud.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
According to a psychiatric evaluation conducted by a doctor in the months following Duprey’s arrest, the incident was the final scene of an escalating psychotic episode that had been gripping Duprey for weeks.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
With Zachary Levi and Liam Neeson leading the charge, the film delivers both gripping action and emotional depth.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
In what was an otherwise pretty gripping and funny first episode, Tribal Council was kind of a dud.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
The killings are part of an escalating wave of violence gripping South Sudan as government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir battle armed men who are believed to be loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
According to a psychiatric evaluation conducted by a doctor in the months following Duprey’s arrest, the incident was the final scene of an escalating psychotic episode that had been gripping Duprey for weeks.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
-
The Indigenous Māori people once believed the boulders were gourds that washed ashore from an ancient canoe wreck, but the science behind it is just as interesting as the legend.—
Madeline Bilis,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican, said the vaccine bill was interesting enough to warrant consideration.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Melvin Council stood amid a crowd of his Kansas teammates, clenching a black belt in his fist.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Wole faced fixedly forward, both fists clenching the steering wheel.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The likes of Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca and Roberto De Zerbi are intriguing new options, but none offer the combination of experience, tactical flexibility and past silverware than Tuchel, a manager who brings solidity in and out of possession.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Eventually, the fighting commenced with a flurry of slapping, pushing, and grasping; sumo can look like brawling or ballet, a display of brute force or a mastery of martial-arts techniques that share their origins with judo and aikido.—
Joshua Hunt,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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These protagonists were classic show-business aspirants who, having come to Los Angeles to be within grasping distance of their dreams, fell, in the interim, into service work.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That capacity makes Ederra’s singing more dynamic and engaging.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Because literature is a distillation of our loves and fears, of supposedly beauty and truth, its relationship with Mammon is at least distasteful and at most tragic, but the story of writing’s association itself is certainly an engaging story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The seasonal cake that had Costco fans across the nation clutching their pearls is back.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
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The mistake was dragging it out for years, stubbornly clutching a depreciating asset while better offers came and went.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This enchanting 500-year-old Grade II cottage is set in 12 acres of mature gardens and land – including paddocks, a kitchen garden, and access with frontage on the River Arun (including fishing rights), ideal for kayaking and other water pursuits.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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