riveting 1 of 2

adjective

ˈri-və-tiŋ How to pronounce riveting (audio)
Definition of rivetingnext
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

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
What follows is some of the most riveting and distressing testimony ever delivered in such a setting. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 After a riveting night of dance from the male contestants, the ladies took to ballroom floor by storm. — Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 17 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 See All Example Sentences for riveting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveting
  1. interesting
  2. focusing
  3. intriguing
  4. concentrating
  5. fascinating
  6. engaging
  7. absorbing
Adjective
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This would provide some interesting tactical options for the Navy, especially for conflicts with rivals, like China.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • Everyone is focusing more on engagement, return on investment and a forward-looking perspective, rather than simply buying something off the shelf to meet demand for the following weekend.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Market participants this week are focusing primary attention on the release of the Federal Reserve September meeting minutes on Wednesday.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of focusing
Adjective
  • The British singer-songwriter and producer began her career as an elusive internet figure with a skill for crafting intriguing earworms.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • That’s why Chicago AF events focus on piquing adults’ interest with intriguing reasons to engage in companionship and activity.
    — Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of intriguing
Verb
  • For decades, organizations have focused primarily on managing PFAS—capturing it, concentrating it and transporting it elsewhere for disposal or destruction.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Market actors can innovate more freely, concentrating risk locally while allowing the state to disavow consequences should those experiments fail.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of concentrating
Adjective
  • You’re surrounded by some of the city’s most important historical landmarks—but the history tucked away within the hotel is just as fascinating as everything that surrounds it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Conceived in collaboration with Coppola and sponsored by Cartier, the Château de Versailles is staging an exhibition about the film’s fascinating origin, painstaking production and cultural impact.
    — Stephanie Sporn, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of fascinating
Adjective
  • Elise Armani and Katy Siegel, an art history PhD candidate/museum curator and an art history professor, respectively, coauthor in an engaging voice, and their joint expertise ranges impressively across media.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Excellent, from the thorough and intuitive spa therapists, to the engaging and sweet girls who run the kids’ club, the generous ice-cream scoopers at the Haagen-Dazs counter, and the nothing-is-too-much-trouble front desk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of engaging
Adjective
  • Read Cep’s Profile of Kingsolver » Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The Aquarius Moon opposes Jupiter, making a big idea, trip, course, or new subject feel especially absorbing.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of absorbing

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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