as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
I found the exhibit on the Holocaust intensely gripping and quite moving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in intriguing
to hold the attention of
that movie will grip any true sports car fan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grasping
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the baby gripped my fingers and wouldn't let go
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 gripping
Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The crime drama, which drew from Varma’s own student experiences in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, delivered a gripping portrayal of students being exploited by anti-social elements.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025
Each episode is better and more gripping than the one that came before, as the stakes of the story increasingly raise.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
The Apollo voyages made for the most gripping viewing in the history of the medium.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
These days, Silverstone, 48, is taking on a brand new role in a lighthearted yet gripping drama series, Irish Blood, which is now streaming on Acorn TV.
—Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The crime drama, which drew from Varma’s own student experiences in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, delivered a gripping portrayal of students being exploited by anti-social elements.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025
Each episode is better and more gripping than the one that came before, as the stakes of the story increasingly raise.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
The Apollo voyages made for the most gripping viewing in the history of the medium.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
-
What’s interesting is that this association held true across different cultures, ages and types of trust, suggesting that trust isn’t just a cultural preference but a universal building block of well-being.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
It’s been a really interesting couple of years for the unscripted industry.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The key to an engaging opening is a hook – something counterintuitive, unusual, or mysterious that sets the scene by establishing the who, what, where, when, and why.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
In the engaging trailer that continues the sinister tale of Vault-Tec, The Ghoul arrives in New Vegas alongside Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) and Dogmeat, trudging into the outskirts of New Vegas.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Again, this man has been holding onto so much, and things have just been compacted for him.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
-
This tiny spot has everything needed for relaxation—a pair of Adirondack chairs to lean back and reflect on the day and a tiny table for holding drinks and snacks.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Cora did not announce who would be added to the rotation, though the Red Sox have some intriguing options in Kyle Harrison and Payton Tolle.—
Michael Hurley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Second-year wideout Jalen Coker and sixth-round pick Jimmy Horn Jr. also possess intriguing upside.—
Mike Kaye
August 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The White Sox, though, had other ideas, grabbing Smith with the first pick of the draft for $100,000.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The Ravens believe in drafting corners every year, and the first-round selection of Nate Wiggins in 2024 won’t prevent them from grabbing another cornerback early.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Elsewhere in the interview, the Australian actress revealed that the movie — in which Kidman plays a woman having an affair with a younger man — was thrilling for her.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
With such fine margins at play, a thrilling title race is effectively guaranteed.—
Neel Shelat,
Forbes,
1 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In between exploring Galicia’s storied cities, visitors should be sure to spend some time immersing themselves in the wilderness, with vast swathes of verdant forest to explore.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
For example, the Kross Studio's Bat-Signal lamp illuminates, further immersing the collector into the universe of Gotham City and also conceals a dedicated space on his backside to safely store The Batman tourbillon or any other watch.—
Stéphane JG Girod,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The historical documents, photographs, and artifacts are fascinating.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The discovery of this drug has a fascinating backstory.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share