as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
a riveting explanation of light waves that fascinated the class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in focusing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riveting
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
But what if the NFL did away with the not-exactly-riveting TV coin toss while also making coaches think twice about wanting to receive the ball in overtime?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Adjective
In this riveting novel of madcap adventure, a woman named Bea leaves New York City for Utah, where her mother lives.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Verb
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone wondering how to make each hour in their workday riveting for television viewers.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
But what if the NFL did away with the not-exactly-riveting TV coin toss while also making coaches think twice about wanting to receive the ball in overtime?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riveting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riveting
Adjective
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This new process, the researchers explain, could offer interesting options for keeping energy-hungry data centers cool.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
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The game was a blowout early but got interesting late.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kevin Carter | Getty Images Shrinking sales For more than a decade, consumers have been buying fewer groceries from the inner aisles of the grocery store, instead focusing on the outer aisles with fresh produce and protein.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Unlike many of the new sushi bars that have come to Austin in recent years — Craft Omakase, Endo, Tare, Sushi by Scratch, Tsuke Edomae — Kinsho will offer an a la carte menu instead of solely focusing on omakase dinners.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Two new restaurants recently landed in the Public Market Emeryville, an ever-changing food court in the tiny but intriguing city.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
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At 6-1, 205 pounds, Nussmeier is an intriguing NFL prospect.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rather than concentrating on a single release, the company shared an Ecosystem that can manage everything from full-scale floor washing in residential and commercial settings to countertop wiping.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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The chemical smell often described in these videos is also due to fuel fumes concentrating in one area, not the smell of burning snow.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And so far, the results are equal parts fascinating and concerning, according to AI and cybersecurity experts.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
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The movies at Sundance Film Festival's swan song in Park City, Utah, were very on theme for the event, celebrating independent cinema with familiar faces in challenging fare, quirky examinations of youth and fascinating documentaries.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For the uninitiated, analog bags are essentially bags that are filled with tactile, low-stimulatory activities that are screenless yet totally engaging, like books, crafts, and journals.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Jan. 2026
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The flow is natural and creates an engaging experience for guests in this warm and welcoming environment.—
Wendy Altschuler,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Movable acoustic drapes and sound-absorbing panels will let the theater be calibrated to the best sound for various styles of performances.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
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Armed with their music knowledge, Kristjanson and Devoe equipped the listening room and wine bar with a JJ322 tube amp, Klipsch AK6 speakers and sound-absorbing panels along the walls and ceilings that look ornamental and decorative at first glance.—
Nneka M. Okona,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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