gripping 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of grippingnext
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest I found the exhibit on the Holocaust intensely gripping and quite moving

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gripping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grip
1
as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill

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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

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3
as in intriguing
to hold the attention of that movie will grip any true sports car fan

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gripping
Adjective
Empires is surreal and gripping, a novelist’s telling of the disorientation and violence of imperial conquest. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 This gripping novel, set in a fictional, rural Colorado town, explores family dynamics, guilt versus innocence, right versus wrong, forgiveness and, yes, penitence. — The Know, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
For this technique to work, a metal screw with wide threads, like a wood screw, works best for gripping the cork. — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026 Her stories are gripping without having to have all of these crazy things going on. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
  1. interesting
  2. clenching
  3. fascinating
  4. intriguing
  5. grasping
  6. engaging
  7. clutching
  8. enchanting
Adjective
  • Kentucky Most of the attention today will go to Miami-Notre Dame and the Holy War, which makes Kentucky the most interesting spot on the board.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • For fall to winter, the trick is to introduce heavier textures, interesting proportions, and accessories that feel decidedly more 2026 than 2006.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • The result can slim the lower face and ease clenching, grinding and TMJ pain.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The third sits nearer the ear and detects chewing and teeth clenching.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of clenching
Verb
  • From bizarre medical tests to a mass phobia of beans, here are 14 surprising facts that reveal just how inventive, eccentric, and fascinating the ancient Greeks really were.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The trailer promises fascinating new characters, like one man who lives on a sailboat for most of the year.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fascinating
Verb
  • Mexico City design studio Panorammma applies the historic armor material to intriguing chairs, lights, and vases.
    — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The female forward is in front of the camera, behind the camera, really getting women, intriguing them to come to the service and watch.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of intriguing
Verb
  • Keeping desire alive means choosing pursuits that can never be finished – a craft, a field of study, a relationship – and letting the gap between reaching and grasping stay open.
    — Stacy Keltner, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The closest the Kardashian sisters have come to grasping the point is a discussion about society’s beauty standards in season three of The Kardashians, when Kylie Jenner brought the topic up to Khloé Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of grasping
Adjective
  • The Cowboys have the shiny filming location, the classic wardrobe, the engaging audience that watches each and every week.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But Davies is unable to make the humorless Clive—a man not of retrograde values but of no core principles—an engaging figure.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of engaging
Verb
  • Diplo, the globally famous disc jockey, has become accustomed to performing in front of audiences wearing glitzy outfits and clutching alcoholic beverages in the dark.
    — Alex Harring,Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Today, the magazines are clutching to the cliff edge like Mufasa.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of clutching
Verb
  • Even the Owens family’s enchanting New England home, which the internet has spent nearly three decades foaming at the mouth over, is barely seen, as much of the film takes place overseas.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Practical Magic 2 has Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman enchanting a new generation of fans, but not everyone from the original cast returned for the sequel.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of enchanting

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Cite this Entry

“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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