Synonyms of gripping

gripping 1 of 2

adjective

as in interesting

holding the attention or provoking interest

I found the exhibit on the Holocaust intensely gripping and quite moving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interesting
• engaging
• intriguing
• fascinating
• absorbing
• exciting
• riveting
• engrossing
• involving
• provocative
• enthralling
• consuming
• entertaining
• arresting
• inspiring
• amazing
• immersing
• amusing
• thrilling
• exhilarating
• electrifying
• electric
• enchanting
• attractive
• breathtaking
• striking
• tantalizing
• unusual
• rousing
• stimulating
• charming
• stirring
• galvanizing
• alluring
• astonishing
• emphatic
• captivating
• showy
• spellbinding
• surprising
• wonderful
• wondrous
• mesmerizing
• eventful
• bewitching
• curious
• hypnotizing
• astounding
• splashy
• marvelous
• weird
• odd
• eye-opening
• fabulous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• heavy
• tedious
• boring
• dull
• uninteresting
• monotonous
• drab
• tiresome
• wearisome
• tiring
• sterile
• unexciting
• wearying
• discouraging
• pedestrian
• dreary
• humdrum
• demoralizing
• operose
• pedantic
• dispiriting
• disheartening

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

• clenching
• clutching
• holding
• grabbing
• carrying
• clinging (to)
• cradling
• taking
• holding on to
• handling
• grasping
• hanging on to
• capturing
• hugging
• clasping
• trapping
• snatching
• seizing
• grappling
• bagging
• hooking
• feeling
• fingering
• catching
• nailing
• snapping (up)
• pawing
• latching (on or onto)
• landing
• embracing
• snaring
• bearing
• corralling
• collaring
• nabbing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giving
• handing
• dropping
• unclasping
• delivering
• rendering
• yielding
• releasing
• relinquishing
• unhanding
• handing out
• giving up
• turning over
• ceding
• handing over

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

• fascinating
• enchanting
• thrilling
• mesmerizing
• spellbinding
• arresting
• hypnotizing
• enthralling
• catching up
• bedazzling
• engrossing
• charming
• entrancing
• engaging
• involving
• bewitching
• enrapturing
• absorbing
• beguiling

3

as in intriguing

to hold the attention of

that movie will grip any true sports car fan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interesting
• intriguing
• fascinating
• immersing
• occupying
• involving
• engrossing
• engaging
• attracting
• absorbing
• busying
• enthralling
• enchanting
• distracting
• enwrapping
• captivating
• bemusing
• preoccupying
• charming
• mesmerizing
• catching one's eye
• catching up
• bewitching
• obsessing
• alluring
• hypnotizing
• beguiling
• monopolizing
• hogging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• boring
• tiring
• wearying
• jading
• palling

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

• grasping
• holding
• taking
• clasping
• clenching
• clutching
• hanging on to
• laying hold of
• catching
• clinging (to)
• holding on (to)
• snatching
• seizing
• nabbing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freeing
• releasing
• liberating
• discharging
• dropping
• giving
• delivering
• transmitting
• passing
• transferring
• handing
• relinquishing
• entrusting
• turning over
• handing over
• unhanding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gripping

Adjective

Viewers praised the series for its gripping action sequences, inventive camerawork and compelling performances. — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Andrew Louis has yet again brought this vision to life brilliantly, crafting a gripping narrative that stays true to the spirit of the franchise while taking it in an exciting new direction. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2026

Verb

The Scotland invasion for the World Cup extended a large hand toward that financial aid, with their other hand gripping a pint. — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

The dramatic reappearance of the rusting wrecks has become one of the most striking visual reminders of both Europe’s wartime history and the severe drought currently gripping much of the continent. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026