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
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Recent Examples of gripping
Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
This visceral, gripping body-horror novel will satisfy your literary appetite.
—Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Silicone gripping around the waistband ensures this skirt won’t twist or ride up along the way.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Adjective
The ability to convey the high stakes of Syrian immigrants’ experience in Austria through the details and rhythms of everyday life is emotionally gripping.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
This visceral, gripping body-horror novel will satisfy your literary appetite.
—Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Verb
Among those evacuated were Stephen and Katie, during which the deputy chief of staff was pictured gripping his wife — who was eight months pregnant at the time — in front of him.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Silicone gripping around the waistband ensures this skirt won’t twist or ride up along the way.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping
Adjective
-
Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images The main card event promises to be an interesting fight.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
That combination makes Norwegian Epic one of the more interesting mainstream cruise ships sailing in Europe.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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While not everyone experiences such dramatic effects, experts say stress, clenching and even past trauma can contribute to TMJ issues.—
Nicole Bennett,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
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The Beloved, his first film in Competition at Cannes, is an incredible achievement that builds on all those films and leaves them standing in the dust, hitting all the same tense throat-clenching beats but somehow transcending genre altogether.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 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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The initiative aims to address one of industrial robotics’ biggest challenges—grasping and manipulation—while improving automation capabilities and potentially reducing engineering time for handling applications by up to 30 percent.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
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On a Saturday afternoon in Nuuk, Greenland, last March, a thousand people walked down toward the harbor, to a small red cabin that bore the Great Seal of the United States—an eagle grasping an olive branch in one foot and thirteen arrows in the other.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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According to general manager Magrino, the goal of Borgo Pignano Group is to contribute to a more sustainable and emotionally engaging vision of the city, enhancing its cultural fabric.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
-
However, competitive play also proved highly engaging for many players.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
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For the first time in a long time the Sweden striker, clutching the man-of-the-match trophy after his team’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia, could reflect on a job well done.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Stunned by the image, Charlie is overwhelmed by memories and guilt, and begins clutching his chest in an apparent heart attack.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The rookie showman is proving his mettle as part of the Caballero Circus, a five-generation family of performers, by enchanting audiences with his charismatic stage presence and sharp coordination.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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