Synonyms of riveting

riveting 1 of 2

adjective

ˈri-və-tiŋ 

as in interesting

holding the attention or provoking interest

a riveting explanation of light waves that fascinated the class

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interesting
• intriguing
• fascinating
• engaging
• absorbing
• exciting
• gripping
• provocative
• engrossing
• enthralling
• involving
• entertaining
• inspiring
• consuming
• amazing
• arresting
• amusing
• thrilling
• exhilarating
• electrifying
• breathtaking
• immersing
• enchanting
• electric
• attractive
• unusual
• tantalizing
• rousing
• charming
• striking
• astonishing
• alluring
• galvanizing
• stimulating
• showy
• stirring
• spellbinding
• captivating
• emphatic
• wonderful
• surprising
• eventful
• mesmerizing
• wondrous
• curious
• bewitching
• astounding
• hypnotizing
• marvelous
• splashy
• odd
• weird
• eye-opening
• fabulous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• boring
• tedious
• dry
• dull
• heavy
• uninteresting
• monotonous
• drab
• tiresome
• wearisome
• tiring
• sterile
• unexciting
• wearying
• dreary
• humdrum
• pedantic
• discouraging
• pedestrian
• disheartening
• dispiriting
• demoralizing
• operose

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

• focusing
• concentrating
• centering
• fastening
• training
• directing
• pointing
• nailing
• setting
• attending
• homing (in on)
• aiming
• heeding
• leveling
• honing in (on)
• zeroing (in on)
• obsessing (over)
• fixating (on)
• refocusing
• minding

Example Sentences

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