as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
a riveting explanation of light waves that fascinated the class
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in focusing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riveting
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Pages made the scenario his own by pulling off an implausible catch in the most riveting of moments against the Toronto Blue Jays, while extending the 2025 MLB season into extra innings.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
But what if the NFL did away with the not-exactly-riveting TV coin toss while also making coaches think twice about wanting to receive the ball in overtime?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Adjective
Watching friendships play out on screen has always been riveting, as evidenced by the success of the Leslie Bibb/Carrie Coon/Michelle Monaghan storyline on The White Lotus last season.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Pages made the scenario his own by pulling off an implausible catch in the most riveting of moments against the Toronto Blue Jays, while extending the 2025 MLB season into extra innings.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone wondering how to make each hour in their workday riveting for television viewers.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
But what if the NFL did away with the not-exactly-riveting TV coin toss while also making coaches think twice about wanting to receive the ball in overtime?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveting
Adjective
-
The way the story is put together is interesting.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Sometimes the most interesting engineering advances start from an idea everyone else scrolled past.—
Omar Kardoudi
March 22,
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the team explains, their solution isn’t about brute-force simulating everything, but rather focusing on what actually matters.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Fort Lauderdale police have stepped up patrols for the city's annual spring break, focusing on maintaining order with a strict no-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol on the beach.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Current owner Nima Alizadeh carries on the tradition started by founders Randy Robinson and Harry Johnson by offering great food along with an intriguing lineup of wines.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Horton finds the biometric space to be very intriguing.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Nexstar-Tegna merger will accelerate exactly that trend, concentrating broadcast power in fewer corporate hands, shrinking independent editorial voices and prioritizing national business interests over local needs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Rather, it is anticipated that the company will move toward a more gradual transition, concentrating more on short-term hybrid vehicles, while also advancing EV technology.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
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To have these books is such a gift, because Patricia writes a fascinating crime story — great clue trail, great murderers.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In lesser hands, this could have been confusing; instead all the banter between a rock-spider-crawly alien entity and a handsome de-facto astronaut comes across as engaging and funny.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Swan is an engaging frontwoman as well as having the requisite smarts.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the right day, with enough time and space, the act of chopping, seasoning, and stirring can feel steady and absorbing.—
Michelle Beadle Holder,
SELF,
16 Mar. 2026
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This novel by the author of 2020’s Breasts and Eggs is an absorbing story about teenagers on the margins of society struggling for a sense of control.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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