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
CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The bestselling author of The Paris Wife returns with a gripping historical novel that spans timelines.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Frigid conditions have persisted through the week, with cold air gripping the eastern half of the country and continuing to drive temperatures far below normal, CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan said.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
During nine days of testimony, jurors have heard at times gripping and emotional testimony from teachers who recounted the terrifying moments when the 18-year-old gunman entered the school and killed 19 students and two teachers.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The bestselling author of The Paris Wife returns with a gripping historical novel that spans timelines.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
Your greatest challenge this year lies in navigating emotional security without gripping too tightly.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Frigid conditions have persisted through the week, with cold air gripping the eastern half of the country and continuing to drive temperatures far below normal, CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan said.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
-
This new process, the researchers explain, could offer interesting options for keeping energy-hungry data centers cool.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The game was a blowout early but got interesting late.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Feb. 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
-
Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Who Benefits from Understanding Bitcoin Price Dynamics Despite these forecasting challenges, grasping what drives Bitcoin's price movements offers practical value across the financial landscape.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In robotics, a policy is the decision-making layer that translates observations, such as camera images and sensor data, into physical actions like joint movements or grasping motions.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Is anything more engaging than a good murder mystery—one that dares you to guess who did it, and why?—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The museum is packed with engaging exhibitions that span everything from ancient Egypt to zoology.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But for those who are not clutching their pearls or foaming at the mouth over Fennell’s interpretation of the original text, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s steamy take on the classic promises to deliver a whole host of method-dressing press tour looks for hungry audiences to obsess over.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
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Written by Zach Kanin and directed by Alice Mathias, the commercial featured an emotional farewell that took a darkly comedic turn when Chazmo’s attempt to return home went hilariously wrong — all while clutching a bag of Totino’s Pizza Rolls.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tucked at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe’s remarkable high desert landscapes and enchanting golden light feel almost otherworldly.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
-
At times, partners may have had a special mystique, enchanting you with their powers that may have sucked you in — for the better — or instead, like an addiction.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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