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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gripping
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
To understand just how gripping Indy 500 racing is, Fox will have a group of viewers—both at home and within The Brickyard—wearing biometric trackers on their hands this Sunday.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 May 2026
David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
However, as Nikki — who has lost her self-control and is clearly possessed by some unseen entity — becomes obsessed with Bear and her actions turn deadly, the once-lovelorn friend of the woman desperately tries to find a way to break the horrific spell that is gripping her.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
Unlike traditional inspection robots that mainly monitor and detect issues, the new system will be able to physically interact with industrial equipment using advanced lifting and gripping capabilities.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
To understand just how gripping Indy 500 racing is, Fox will have a group of viewers—both at home and within The Brickyard—wearing biometric trackers on their hands this Sunday.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 May 2026
Verb
This class is potentially an amazing class of servant leaders that can help break the fever that’s gripping this country and move us in a better direction.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
However, as Nikki — who has lost her self-control and is clearly possessed by some unseen entity — becomes obsessed with Bear and her actions turn deadly, the once-lovelorn friend of the woman desperately tries to find a way to break the horrific spell that is gripping her.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
-
The mini-bar had a decent selection of interesting snacks, and for coffee there’s a Nespresso machine.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The white, wavy detailing adds just enough contrast to feel fresh and interesting without sacrificing comfort or versatility.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
While not everyone experiences such dramatic effects, experts say stress, clenching and even past trauma can contribute to TMJ issues.—
Nicole Bennett,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
-
The Beloved, his first film in Competition at Cannes, is an incredible achievement that builds on all those films and leaves them standing in the dust, hitting all the same tense throat-clenching beats but somehow transcending genre altogether.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
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
-
Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
-
There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Another project, Grasp-MPC, focused on robotic grasping in cluttered environments.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
-
Lovebugs are vegetarians who feed on pollen and nectar and lack the speed, the jaws and grasping legs to catch and slaughter a mosquito.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Undoubtedly, these reconsiderations have been a largely positive exercise, foregrounding not only more equitable but more accurate and more engaging histories, and opening gallery and museum doors to previously excluded artists (even if many have suffered with the ups and downs of speculation).—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
The Book of Dead Philosophers by Simon Critchley eases this worry by presenting the life and death of nearly 200 philosophers in short, engaging, humorous profiles.—
Theodore McDarrah,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Marie-Paule had straight blond hair, cut in a bob with a clip on one side, and was clutching a miniature schoolbag.—
Annie Ernaux,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Martin, clutching a gun in his left hand, pulled the weapon behind his left leg.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The rookie showman is proving his mettle as part of the Caballero Circus, a five-generation family of performers, by enchanting audiences with his charismatic stage presence and sharp coordination.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
