as in focused
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective
everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage
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Recent Examples of riveted
Instead, their Boeing Starliner spacecraft had issues, causing NASA to bring the vehicle back to Earth without the two astronauts, who would stay behind in space — and as time went by, delay after delay extended their visit, leaving the nation riveted.
—
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Democrats now have the option of using the vote to table Schumer’s amendment as political ammo in the midterm election to attack Republicans over Epstein, a subject that has riveted some members of the GOP base for months.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
She is riveted as the actor playing Prince Hamlet (Noah Jupe) is onstage with her husband, Will, playing the ghost of his father, King Hamlet.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
This figure sits comfortably within the simple 36-centimetre (14 inches) upper bound once allowances are made for the lattice geometry, riveted joints, and uneven heating.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2025
Ted Koppel’s Nightline, which was launched on ABC News during the period, also kept Americans riveted to the crisis.
—Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Which isn’t to say they weren’t riveted.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 19 Dec. 2024
The current drone mania also echoes the Chinese spy balloon incident that riveted the country in 2023.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
But within about 90 minutes of the dive, the submersible lost communications with the mother ship, triggering a desperate rescue mission that riveted the world’s attention.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Democrats now have the option of using the vote to table Schumer’s amendment as political ammo in the midterm election to attack Republicans over Epstein, a subject that has riveted some members of the GOP base for months.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
She is riveted as the actor playing Prince Hamlet (Noah Jupe) is onstage with her husband, Will, playing the ghost of his father, King Hamlet.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
This figure sits comfortably within the simple 36-centimetre (14 inches) upper bound once allowances are made for the lattice geometry, riveted joints, and uneven heating.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2025
Ted Koppel’s Nightline, which was launched on ABC News during the period, also kept Americans riveted to the crisis.
—Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Which isn’t to say they weren’t riveted.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 19 Dec. 2024
The current drone mania also echoes the Chinese spy balloon incident that riveted the country in 2023.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
But within about 90 minutes of the dive, the submersible lost communications with the mother ship, triggering a desperate rescue mission that riveted the world’s attention.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveted
Verb
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The second certification is an advanced program that’s focused on industry leaders including people managers, C-suite personnel, and high-potential employees.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Even as the macroenvironment signals uncertainty, Materazzo said the company is focused on continuing to deliver on its legacy and invest in its brand.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Today’s use cases are limited, with most work concentrated on simulating chemistry and physics.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Because they are disproportionately concentrated in economically vulnerable sectors like retail and services, a steep rise in Black women’s unemployment is a red flag for what’s to come for the rest of the economy.—
Marianne Cooper,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riveted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveted. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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