engross

verb

in-ˈgrōs How to pronounce engross (audio)
Definition of engrossnext
as in to interest
to hold the attention of a mystery story that will engross readers all the way to the surprise ending

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 engross Ronaïmou’s feature debut, a critique of diya, still widely extended in Chad, in a film praised for its moral complexity, engrossing tension and sense of place. — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 The same goes for pedestrians, who increasingly are glued to phones and engrossed in noise-canceling headphones. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026 On July 19, Congress ordered that the Declaration of Independence be engrossed on parchment. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 Beyond being engrossed in their respective books, Hudson and Rani found other ways to stay occupied during their family vacation. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for engross
Recent Examples of Synonyms for engross
  1. interest
  2. immerse
  3. intrigue
  4. occupy
  5. fascinate
  6. involve
  7. attract
  8. busy
Verb
  • The serious question of, frankly, human survival did not seem to interest them at all.
    — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Cranor said a person’s risk depends on how often they are targeted, their security habits, their ability to recognize suspicious messages, and whether the lure really interests them.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of interest
Verb
  • From there, Moton was onto the hospital and immersed in a medical odyssey.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Inspired by Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s, this presentation allows viewers to immerse themselves into the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of immerse
Verb
  • When Brazilian pop star Giulia Be first saw a photo of Conor Kennedy, she was immediately intrigued.
    — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
  • His decade spent working in sci-fi and his upbringing in his British seaside town of Bridlington had Heaton instantly intrigued.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of intrigue
Verb
  • Now in its third modern iteration, the Carrera T occupies a uniquely appealing space within the 911 family.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Protesters have broken into schools and, in some cases, set fire to occupied or blockaded buildings.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • The reaction to this movie fascinates me, starting in Cannes.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In 2008, passionate surfer Tim Russo purchased the property, renamed it, and set out to organically grow it into a resort full of wonder where serious surfers and travelers fascinated with the surf lifestyle could vacation happily.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fascinate
Verb
  • Federal law enforcement had launched more than 100 investigations into crimes in which Tren de Aragua members are involved, as of late 2024, according to an NBC report.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The character was killed in a helicopter crash in Amritsar, Indian that also involved the Indian Prime Minister.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of involve
Verb
  • Others cited recruitment challenges – almost four in ten said attracting top talent is harder in Europe than in the US.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The short has also attracted interest from educators, veterans’ organisations (RAF Benevolent Fund), and community groups, many of whom have requested screenings and discussions.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of attract
Verb
  • That’s certainly how Republicans busied themselves in the last two years of the Biden administration, when Hunter Biden got more airtime than pharmaceutical ads.
    — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After busying ourselves with fly fishing on the Snake River, rafting, horseback riding and touring Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, there hasn’t been much time for reflection.
    — Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of busy

Browse Nearby Words

engravings
engross
engrossed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Engross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engross. 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

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