GRIPPING Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

gripping 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of gripping

as in interesting

holding the attention or provoking interest I found the exhibit on the Holocaust intensely gripping and quite moving

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gripping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grip

as in clenching

to have or keep in one's hands gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fascinating

to hold the attention of as if by a spell that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit

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as in intriguing

to hold the attention of that movie will grip any true sports car fan

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 gripping

Adjective

Look for bath mats that could be placed on top of other mats with a strong gripping surface on the bottom, or find a novelty bath mat that features an excellent nonslip base. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 The bestselling author of A Fable for the End of the World and A Study in Drowning focuses her newest book on a cast of characters whose roles entangle to create a gripping story. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

What happened—which can be reconstructed from messages that the agents sent one another and from traces of their own internal reasoning, known as chain-of-thought records—makes for gripping reading. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Each chapter of her life delivers gripping scenes with twists and turns, accomplishments and setbacks. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gripping

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gripping

Adjective

Those are impressive numbers, but the interesting part is how Creality has arrived at them.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
And here’s where your Social Security concern gets interesting.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of interesting

Verb

The third sits nearer the ear and detects chewing and teeth clenching.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Years ago, after Jake died, my instinct as a medical student was anger — clenching my teeth and jabbing a pen into my notepad, making a line of inky holes along the margin.

— Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of clenching

Verb

From bizarre medical tests to a mass phobia of beans, here are 14 surprising facts that reveal just how inventive, eccentric, and fascinating the ancient Greeks really were.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
The trailer promises fascinating new characters, like one man who lives on a sailboat for most of the year.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of fascinating

Verb

The female forward is in front of the camera, behind the camera, really getting women, intriguing them to come to the service and watch.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 21 June 2026

Definition of intriguing

Verb

Among the Louvre’s loans is Bathsheba Holding King David’s Letter, from 1654, which depicts the heroine grasping King David’s disastrous summons.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Its combination of independent joint control, precise positioning, relatively low weight, and high grasping force is intended to help humanoid robots perform manipulation tasks that require greater dexterity and control.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of grasping

Adjective

The goal is to make the information clearer, more accessible, and more engaging for new motorists.

— Kellye Lynn, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Set against the backdrop of the early 1970s, the series offers a warm and engaging portrayal of their relationship and the events surrounding it.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of engaging

Verb

Even the Owens family’s enchanting New England home, which the internet has spent nearly three decades foaming at the mouth over, is barely seen, as much of the film takes place overseas.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
Practical Magic 2 has Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman enchanting a new generation of fans, but not everyone from the original cast returned for the sequel.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of enchanting

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“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gripping. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gripping

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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