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

For listeners familiar enough with safety systems to fully appreciate the danger, miscommunication, unpreparedness or negligence in these stories, the tales provide riveting entertainment, in their own grim way. — Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026

Thematically, though, the late swerve is fully all of a piece with Oren’s riveting exploration of the nature of desire, and how that can reframe our relationship to the natural world around us. — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 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