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

Garfield is disturbingly riveting as Altman, with his hypnotizing performance painting the most damning picture of the OpenAI CEO yet in any form of media. — Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

The new thriller is earning critical acclaim for its compelling depiction of the controversial NBC series To Catch a Predator, as well as Robert Pattinson’s riveting portrayal of host Chris Hansen. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 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