riveting 1 of 2

adjective

ˈri-və-tiŋ How to pronounce riveting (audio)
Definition of rivetingnext
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest a riveting explanation of light waves that fascinated the class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

riveting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of rivet
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

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 riveting
Adjective
This month brings riveting novels about dogs, stars (the Hollywood kind), small towns and characters with bigger woes than just sweat stains. — Colin Dwyer, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 Viola Davis has transformed into many riveting characters throughout the years. — Adrianne Reece, InStyle, 31 July 2026
Verb
Pomona native and Cal Poly grad who flew Navy F-18s successfully launches as pilot of NASA’s riveting Artemis II mission around the moon, the first such voyage since the Apollo program in 1972. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for riveting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveting
  1. interesting
  2. focusing
  3. intriguing
  4. concentrating
  5. fascinating
  6. engaging
  7. absorbing
Adjective
  • The angled sides create a visually interesting silhouette, while the glass front distinguishes it from a mere box of wood.
    — Evan Russum, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Classic notes are also growing up this season—tonka is vanilla’s more interesting older sister, able to shift from woody to dry to nutty, depending on the present company.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • Instead, Steller is focusing his marketing on his restaurant and bar in case lawmakers fail to extend the policy.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The same for Ja’Sir Taylor, competing at nickel corner but focusing on special teams, and Brayln Lux, attempting to land a roster spot by making a positive impression behind Jalen Davis in the nickel competition.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of focusing
Adjective
  • However, the aliens’ secondary revelation is far more intriguing.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The intriguing subplot is whether CBS will try to void the final four years (and $72 million) of Romo’s regrettable 10-year, $180 million deal by citing a moral clause that is standard in broadcast contracts.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of intriguing
Verb
  • The report said only 14 percent expect greater use of AI shopping assistants to be the biggest behavioral change this season, and most are still concentrating their attention on shipping costs, discounts and operational execution.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Specifically, concentrating the binder near the separator narrowed the pathways for lithium-ion movement.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of concentrating
Adjective
  • What a fascinating shift in media consumption — to think people were, in the early days of film, uncomfortable watching movies featuring performers who had died.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The close of that second day — admittedly of what became an all too short and one-sided Test because of Pakistan’s alarming frailties — brought a fascinating debate on the BBC’s Test Match Special podcast.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of fascinating
Adjective
  • Rather than create self-promotional content, organizations should, therefore, address broader topics connected to their business and explain their relation to real-world trends or challenges in an authentic and engaging way.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Here are a few important ideas that can fortify children who are entering this unknown land – as told through five engaging books that may help new students prepare for their journey ahead.
    — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of engaging
Adjective
  • This allowed the researchers to manipulate the materials’ light-absorbing and light-emitting behavior more predictably.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Find out for yourself in this finely detailed and utterly absorbing book, which reads like a thriller of the highest order.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of absorbing

Browse Nearby Words

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riveting
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Cite this Entry

“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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