absorbing

1 of 2

adjective

ab·​sorb·​ing əb-ˈsȯr-biŋ How to pronounce absorbing (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
Synonyms of absorbingnext
: fully taking one's attention : engrossing
an absorbing novel
absorbingly
əb-ˈsȯr-biŋ-lē How to pronounce absorbing (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
adverb

absorbing

2 of 2

present participle of absorb

Synonyms of absorbing

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of absorbing in a Sentence

Adjective shell collecting can be so absorbing that you don't notice the tide coming in
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Over the record’s 33 minutes, Holden delivers an outstanding addition to his catalog that’s as absorbing and realist as any rap album this year. — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026 Its 14 essays comprise an absorbing investigation into the art of translation, the sheer pleasure of reading the classics, and the insights such reading can bring. — David Conrads, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026 Orlean consistently demonstrates that terrific nonfiction writing can be as absorbing as fiction. — The Know, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for absorbing

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of absorb

First Known Use

Adjective

1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absorbing was in 1806

Rhymes for absorbing

See All Rhymes for absorbing

Browse Nearby Words

absorberman
absorbing
absorbingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Absorbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorbing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All