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
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Recent Examples of gripping
Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
As one of South Africa’s most daring new voices, Meekaeel Adam makes his directorial debut in this gripping story, set in 1846, of a Dutch-Afrikaans family and their British benefactor who make the perilous journey across the Kalahari Desert, watched over by two shapeshifting spirits.
—Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Mark Banchereau The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Bachik shared a post to Instagram first showing Lopez in action onstage, gripping a microphone in a dazzling, very Vegas costume (rhinestones and fishnets and wind machines, oh my).
—Marci Robin, Allure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
As one of South Africa’s most daring new voices, Meekaeel Adam makes his directorial debut in this gripping story, set in 1846, of a Dutch-Afrikaans family and their British benefactor who make the perilous journey across the Kalahari Desert, watched over by two shapeshifting spirits.
—Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
The schoolchildren said they were sometimes ordered to strip to their underwear or be naked and told to squat with their arms extended, gripping heavy rocks.
—Mark Banchereau The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Bachik shared a post to Instagram first showing Lopez in action onstage, gripping a microphone in a dazzling, very Vegas costume (rhinestones and fishnets and wind machines, oh my).
—Marci Robin, Allure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
-
San Diego State took us on a journey that was almost always interesting and often entertaining.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Head down for a late-night drink to run into other stylish, interesting locals who frequent the hangout, who are usually friendly enough to chat or spot you an extra shot of Ògógóró.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 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
-
According to the regulator, clinical trial data showed significant improvements in hand grasping ability among participants.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
In lesser hands, this could have been confusing; instead all the banter between a rock-spider-crawly alien entity and a handsome de-facto astronaut comes across as engaging and funny.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Swan is an engaging frontwoman as well as having the requisite smarts.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Joachim Trier stood on the Dolby Theatre stage, clutching Norway’s first Academy Award, the moment marked the culmination of a decades-long national project — built patiently, deliberately and with oil money turned into cultural capital.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
-
There was a scary moment in the second half when the Knights' John Bol fell to the floo r clutching his chest.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 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 22 Mar. 2026.
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