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
Robert Eggers, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Marx becomes the third corner of their triangle, and decades of action ensue, much of it set in Los Angeles, some in the virtual realm, all of it riveting.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
What makes the best podcasts riveting?
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Adjective
The horror and action set pieces are riveting.
—Robert Eggers, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Marx becomes the third corner of their triangle, and decades of action ensue, much of it set in Los Angeles, some in the virtual realm, all of it riveting.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
But what if the NFL did away with the not-exactly-riveting TV coin toss while also making coaches think twice about wanting to receive the ball in overtime?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
What makes the best podcasts riveting?
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveting
Adjective
-
So to step away from that consciously is interesting.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Venkatakrishnan said leaders’ responsibility is not just to use AI for productivity, but to empower people to take on bigger, more interesting, and more valuable work.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Archer isn’t the only eVTOL company focusing on the UAE with Joby, one of its main competitors, hoping to launch in Dubai next year, with launch facilities currently under construction as sites including Dubai International Airport, according to Aviation Week.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Attempting to block out everything off the court and focusing on basketball seems to be a strategy filtering down from Splitter who remained guarded in his press conference after the game when asked about Billups.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Browns' quarterback situation is one of the more intriguing in the NFL, given the dilemma with Shedeur Sanders.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Disney has contemplated some intriguing twists for the NFL extravaganza.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Difficulty concentrating is a common complaint among people experiencing SAD, Justin Puder, PhD, a psychologist based in Boca Raton, Florida, tells SELF.—
Maggie O'Neill,
SELF,
20 Oct. 2025
-
This effect is analogous to concentrating sunlight with a magnifying glass to ignite a dry leaf.—
Richard J. Price,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Higginbotham thought that was fascinating.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Simply put, sea creatures are fascinating.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The series cemented Kinney’s spot in children’s libraries across the country and among lists of the most engaging kids’ books.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Red Shirt’s job is to be dynamic, engaging and memorable.—
Jason BARNARD,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rivera’s writing is well worth experiencing, and what’s on stage at Penumbra is an imaginative and deeply absorbing staging, which, despite its darkness, offers a sense of hope and faith in humanity.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Fast-absorbing and never greasy, the oil should be applied like a leave-in treatment on damp or dry hair before styling.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share