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
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
Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2025
More than 70 years after its publication, The Deliverance of Sister Cecilia is a riveting account of resistance to evil.
—Sarah Schutte, National Review, 29 June 2025
How his body responds to the longest season of his baseball life is a compelling subplot to an already riveting rookie season.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The movie is a real-world thriller that’s also a riveting character study that’s also a portrait of the place where the reactionary politics of today curdles into obsession.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Adjective
The San Marino National Gallery had an intriguing array of contemporary art, including a riveting installation by the Italian artist Enzo Mari.
—Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2025
More than 70 years after its publication, The Deliverance of Sister Cecilia is a riveting account of resistance to evil.
—Sarah Schutte, National Review, 29 June 2025
How his body responds to the longest season of his baseball life is a compelling subplot to an already riveting rookie season.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The movie is a real-world thriller that’s also a riveting character study that’s also a portrait of the place where the reactionary politics of today curdles into obsession.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveting
Adjective
-
What was really interesting about so much of the work was that materiality and texture were so tangible.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
However, his new costar Eddie Murphy had an interesting approach to sharing his wisdom.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
State government has been focusing on East Hartford in recent years because the administration of then-Mayor Mike Walsh advanced a series of high-profile, potentially transformative projects.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Pitchers As far as pitching goes, the thesis couldn’t be simpler — do our best to avoid any bias attached to surface stats (outputs) by instead focusing on underlying metrics (inputs).—
John Laghezza,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For millennials who recognize Snow from cult-classic teen comedies like 2006’s John Tucker Must Die and the Pitch Perfect franchise, her starring role as the self-destructive Sophie in The Hunting Wives is simultaneously nostalgic and intriguing.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Leagues Cup action returns on Thursday with an intriguing showdown, as the MLS side LA Galaxy takes on Liga MX team Santos Laguna.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This led to an explosion of technology development and, with funding concentrating on a smaller number of startups, set the playing field for 2025.—
Jeff Mahler,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Since the trial began, the Amazons have ventured out about three times a week to paste messages on both sides of the ramparts, but mostly concentrating on the intra-muros area near the courthouse.—
Catherine Porter,
New York Times,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
-
From Jupiter’s swirling storms to Neptune’s icy depths, planets across our solar system are orbited by a fascinating cast of moons.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Every chapter is loaded with arcane information delivered in an engaging style.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
-
This can not only improve employees' health and well-being but also create a more engaging work environment.—
Sourabh Deorah,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The front man Ben Schneider has followed meticulous world-building impulses, drawing more listeners with each album by nurturing an absorbing, cinematic sound.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
-
But walking sims ushered in a new wave of titles that saw the player moving through an environment, simply observing and absorbing.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share