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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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. 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
Look for bath mats that could be placed on top of other mats with a strong gripping surface on the bottom, or find a novelty bath mat that features an excellent nonslip base. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 The bestselling author of A Fable for the End of the World and A Study in Drowning focuses her newest book on a cast of characters whose roles entangle to create a gripping story. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
The context of the record, about the ghosts left in the wake of American sins, is gripping enough, but Williams’ voice cut through with staggering precision. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 The chaos gripping the court stems from the collapse of Banco Master, a mid-sized bank worth up to $16 billion in assets, which was shut down last November after a sprawling investigation into a fraud scheme involving billions of reais. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 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
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This would provide some interesting tactical options for the Navy, especially for conflicts with rivals, like China.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • Years ago, after Jake died, my instinct as a medical student was anger — clenching my teeth and jabbing a pen into my notepad, making a line of inky holes along the margin.
    — Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Janet held the phone away from her ear, clenching her teeth against Maggie’s booming voice.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Definition of clenching
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of fascinating
Verb
  • 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
  • The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Definition of intriguing
Verb
  • Its combination of independent joint control, precise positioning, relatively low weight, and high grasping force is intended to help humanoid robots perform manipulation tasks that require greater dexterity and control.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Three months after his brother’s murder, Leroy still has a hard time grasping his family’s new reality.
    — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of grasping
Adjective
  • Elise Armani and Katy Siegel, an art history PhD candidate/museum curator and an art history professor, respectively, coauthor in an engaging voice, and their joint expertise ranges impressively across media.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Excellent, from the thorough and intuitive spa therapists, to the engaging and sweet girls who run the kids’ club, the generous ice-cream scoopers at the Haagen-Dazs counter, and the nothing-is-too-much-trouble front desk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of engaging
Verb
  • During the investigation, the sheriff's office said the 15-year-old girl was clutching her bag tightly and started to reach inside.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Wednesday, after beating the Houston Astros 7-3 to advance to the American League Division Series, Venable was standing inside a raucous clubhouse clutching a bottle of La Marca Prosecco.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 1 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

Browse Nearby Words

gripped
gripping
grips
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All