riveting 1 of 2

Definition of rivetingnext

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
The result was a set of riveting political thrillers. The Week Us, TheWeek, 17 June 2026 Penn launched his acting career in the early 1980s with ensemble roles in the military thriller Taps and the beloved comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High, before turning toward serious roles and delivering riveting performances in State of Grace and The Indian Runner. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 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
Adjective
  • That could perhaps create more pressure for Burrows to have a strong outing Tuesday, or create an interesting conversation around Arrighetti.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • Well, its’ interesting because for many years the Republican Party revered Reagan much more than Nixon, partly because Reagan was a successful president and Nixon, of course, ended his presidency in disgrace.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Airlines are increasingly focusing on premium passengers, which could lead to higher airfares for all travelers.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Phil Weiser Tom Cooper/Getty Images for SeriesFest For much of the busy primary election, Bennet was seen as a frontrunner, running on his record as a moderate senator and focusing his campaign on affordability.
    Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • The most intriguing of the Trojans’ trio of returners is Arenas, given the wide range of possible outcomes in front of the guard this season.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Separated-at-birth is an intriguing theory, and of course very gratifying to those in the Plymouth/Roundhead/blue half of America.
    James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • For the project, scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, directly coupled concentrating photovoltaic cells with proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer cells.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
  • Issues could include insomnia, aggression, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to psychotropic medication and exacerbation of existing mental illness -- like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
    Mark Prussin, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is setting up to be a fascinating second half in Houston.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • Shamea and Porsha’s passive back-and-forth is a fascinating take on how icing someone out after a friendship falls apart can play out on a show like The Real Housewives.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • What Dave Gallagher and the AnimSchool Studios team have achieved is remarkable, creating a visually stunning, emotionally engaging series that has already built a passionate audience through its own merit.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 June 2026
  • Mahjong, which is strategic, social and mentally engaging, fits squarely into that category.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • With SoniQ™ Technology, RPG aims to address that concern by integrating sound-absorbing functionality directly into furniture surfaces.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • Dry skin This is a fast-absorbing blend of seed, nut, and flower oils that delivers lightweight hydration and supports the skin barrier.
    Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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