arresting 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈre-stiŋ How to pronounce arresting (audio)
Definition of arrestingnext
1
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commanding
likely to attract attention at seven feet tall, he's an arresting figure in any crowd

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

arresting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arrest
1
as in seizing
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the inept robber was promptly arrested by the off-duty policeman he had tried to hold up

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell the sight of the daredevil walking a tightrope between high-rises arrested area pedestrians and motorists alike

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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 arresting
Adjective
The most arresting aspect of her art is the live show - with Cherie performing barefoot behind a translucent screen for her 40-minute set. — Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 26 Apr. 2026 Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony played no small role in lifting the collective mood, preparing Tokyo to create what now feels like the world’s most arresting capital. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Law enforcement arrived within two minutes, officials said, before engaging the two shooters and arresting them. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 The global unveiling last week of the all-electric GV90 pulled the curtain back on what is by far the most arresting model ever produced by Genesis, which, for a decade, has been Hyundai’s standalone luxury brand. — Marco Della Cava, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arresting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arresting
  1. interesting
  2. commanding
  3. seizing
  4. stopping
  5. fascinating
  6. engaging
  7. noticeable
  8. apprehending
Adjective
  • Coach John Harbaugh made the interesting decision Friday night to sit Dart and a number of other starters for a second straight preseason game.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of interesting
Adjective
  • Kirkwood had a commanding lead before Palou's spin caused a caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of commanding
Verb
  • Their demands for records mirror a New Mexico lawsuit and whistleblower claims that agents were ordered to stand down instead of seizing hundreds of thousands of lethal pills.
    — Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Since seizing power, Tiani’s government has shifted away from Western partners, deepened ties with Russia and broken with the regional ECOWAS bloc, joining Mali and Burkina Faso to form the breakaway AES bloc.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of seizing
Verb
  • There is really no way to talk about the film unless one falls back on wispy vagaries and pointed allusions to cinematic precedents, or just explaining the act one set-up and then stopping with the warning that things get really weird thereafter.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Plain water can help remove waste from the blood into the urine, stopping kidney stones from forming.
    — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of stopping
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
  • 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
Definition of fascinating
Adjective
  • The Cadillac Optiq-V boasts 519 horsepower and impressive speed but fails to deliver an engaging driving experience.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The first thing that stands out about the 2026 Honda Pilot behind the wheel is its engaging driving dynamics.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of engaging
Adjective
  • The 277 lb-ft of torque arrives from 2,000 rpm, and the difference is immediately noticeable.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The result is particularly noticeable in its food scene, where Middle Eastern influences sit comfortably alongside contemporary Scandinavian restaurants.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of noticeable
Verb
  • The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially contacted Roswell police and asked for assistance locating and apprehending Spruill.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • She’s tasked with apprehending The Puppet Master (Iemasa Kayumi), a hacker who appears to be tapping directly into these networked minds and altering memories.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of apprehending

Browse Nearby Words

arrestees
arresting
arrestment
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Cite this Entry

“Arresting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arresting. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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