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
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Recent Examples of gripping
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
This gripping drama takes place in a single apartment and is designed to look like a lone, continuous take without any identifiable cuts.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Twins are also encouraged by the gains Rojas made during the offseason in adjusting to gripping the baseball used at Triple A and in the big leagues.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
From shaping complex, layered roles to creating a world that feels both opulent and unsettling, the panel will unpack the storytelling choices that bring this gripping narrative to life.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
This gripping drama takes place in a single apartment and is designed to look like a lone, continuous take without any identifiable cuts.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Why book For that golden intersection of gripping design and home-grown, regenerative ideology, Fowlescombe Farm is remarkably quick to reach by train, despite its bona fide rural location on the fringes of Dartmoor.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Twins are also encouraged by the gains Rojas made during the offseason in adjusting to gripping the baseball used at Triple A and in the big leagues.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
-
Even as a young writer, her talent for digging up interesting stats, along with her contagious positivity and love for the game, set her apart in a crowded media landscape.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
Available in deep blue or soft pink varieties, the spiky blooms make excellent cut flowers, adding interesting texture to bouquets.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
In the premiere, Rue and Faye run drugs across the border, clenching their butts to hold bags of fentanyl in their digestive tract for as long as possible.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
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Protect against teeth grinding, clenching and enamel damage with custom dental solutions from ClearClub.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
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There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Video of the pair's initial greeting at the White House on Monday is circulating online, showing the president firmly grasping hands with the monarch, and giving a few characteristic tugs.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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They were huddled over in single file, Stephen Miller grasping his wife, moving away from the gunfire.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rivals provide more engaging driving dynamics, but the Envista isn't designed to be thrilling.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
Kelly Clarkson has certainly earned her place as the queen of daytime talk shows, thanks to her standout guests and engaging conversations.—
Sarah DiMuro,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Reds closer Emilio Pagán came in to start the ninth and fell to the ground clutching his left hamstring after throwing one pitch to Nico Hoerner.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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There has been a lot of pearl-clutching concern among both liberals and conservatives about New York City’s future — and the nation’s — with socialist Mayor Mamdani.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Equally enchanting this fashion month were Celine’s colorful leather pouches—particularly in cobalt blue, a trending hue—as seen on Ramya Giangola and Yumi Shin below.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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