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
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Recent Examples of riveting
Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard both turned in absolutely riveting performances as Cornell Stokes and Mariah Stokes-Dillard, and those characters proved to be considered updates to their often racist depictions in comics.
—Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Read: These two memoirs by women in rock ’n’ roll are riveting.
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
With riveting prose, Li — the sisters’ niece — brings their stories to life.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Adjective
The ability to tell a riveting story, to hold an audience’s attention, is a real talent, and your character is clearly talented at it.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard both turned in absolutely riveting performances as Cornell Stokes and Mariah Stokes-Dillard, and those characters proved to be considered updates to their often racist depictions in comics.
—Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Read: These two memoirs by women in rock ’n’ roll are riveting.
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
With riveting prose, Li — the sisters’ niece — brings their stories to life.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveting
Adjective
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April 16, 2023: DiCaprio is photographed dancing very closely with Cooper's ex Shayk during Coachella. DiCaprio and Shayk at a Coachella after-party on April 16, 2023 Getty Images This is interesting, considering DiCaprio and Cooper have been friends for decades, per the Daily Mail.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
4 May 2025
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What a night of interesting and awesome fights in Des Moines, Iowa.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Pitchers As far as pitching goes, the thesis couldn’t be simpler — do our best to avoid any bias attached to surface stats (outputs) by instead focusing on underlying metrics (inputs).—
John Laghezza,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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State government has been focusing on East Hartford in recent years because the administration of then-Mayor Mike Walsh advanced a series of high-profile, potentially transformative projects.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Even for an amateur baker like myself, some of the most intriguing recipes fall in the dessert chapter—because who wouldn’t want chewy tahini blondies or a coffee and cream icebox cake to end the meal?—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 May 2025
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And, as alluded to at the start, mid-season numbers are ultimately meaningless, except that, in this instance, they are both entrenched and intriguing.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
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This led to an explosion of technology development and, with funding concentrating on a smaller number of startups, set the playing field for 2025.—
Jeff Mahler,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Since the trial began, the Amazons have ventured out about three times a week to paste messages on both sides of the ramparts, but mostly concentrating on the intra-muros area near the courthouse.—
Catherine Porter,
New York Times,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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As a result, each piece in her collections reflects her exploration of fascinating materials and techniques in a whimsical manner.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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The experience of someone raised with Ghanaian traditions versus someone whose family has been in America for generations creates fascinating dynamics and misunderstandings.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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The film tells a different story of a far more engaging and charismatic character, and the danger of any sign of fragility in women holding positions of power, says Cataldo.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
8 May 2025
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Furthermore, many Arabic language programs lack structured curricula, and educators often struggle to provide engaging and efficient instruction.—
Geoffrey Alphonso,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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The absorbing survey shows how movies were an influence, but the appeal goes beyond celebrity subjects.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
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Many of these jobs involve repetitive or rules-based tasks, exactly the kinds AI is rapidly absorbing.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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