as in focused
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective
everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 riveted
The decision marks the latest twist in the sprawling Murdaugh saga that has riveted the public and spawned true crime documentaries, podcasts and best-selling books.
—
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The story of the Murdaugh family has riveted people far beyond South Carolina Lowcountry.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Fifty years ago audiences were riveted by that thriller that focused on two relentless newsmen, played by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, who were digging into the seedy mysteries of the Watergate scandal.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 7 May 2026
On a tour of the ship’s engine room, he was riveted by a mechanism automatically recording the movements of the ship’s propeller.
—Alison J. Stein, thehustle.co, 1 May 2026
The end of the murder prosecution is just the latest turn in a case that riveted the Grand Junction community and was controversial from the start.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
But we've all been riveted by a much broader look at the Earth over the past week, literally and figuratively.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Indeed, the first moon landing and the heroic return of Apollo 13 riveted people across the globe.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The trial The trial began in September 2024 and riveted the country.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The story of the Murdaugh family has riveted people far beyond South Carolina Lowcountry.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Fifty years ago audiences were riveted by that thriller that focused on two relentless newsmen, played by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, who were digging into the seedy mysteries of the Watergate scandal.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 7 May 2026
On a tour of the ship’s engine room, he was riveted by a mechanism automatically recording the movements of the ship’s propeller.
—Alison J. Stein, thehustle.co, 1 May 2026
The end of the murder prosecution is just the latest turn in a case that riveted the Grand Junction community and was controversial from the start.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
But we've all been riveted by a much broader look at the Earth over the past week, literally and figuratively.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Indeed, the first moon landing and the heroic return of Apollo 13 riveted people across the globe.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The trial The trial began in September 2024 and riveted the country.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveted
Verb
-
Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
The technology represents a different and more scalable quantum track for Google, which has primarily focused on superconducting or the use of extremely cold temperatures to harness atoms.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Most are concentrated in border states and cities with large Mexican American populations, including California, Texas and Arizona.—
Fin Daniel Gómez,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
The report also cited gunshot wounds, cuts and burn injuries concentrated on intimate areas.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riveted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveted. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
