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
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
Arguably the most riveting pieces displayed were movies posters and DVD boxes that featured Edwards’ review on the film.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 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
Episode 5 is particularly riveting, as Sherlock discovers something significant about his childhood.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
Arguably the most riveting pieces displayed were movies posters and DVD boxes that featured Edwards’ review on the film.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 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
-
San Diego State took us on a journey that was almost always interesting and often entertaining.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Head down for a late-night drink to run into other stylish, interesting locals who frequent the hangout, who are usually friendly enough to chat or spot you an extra shot of Ògógóró.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the team explains, their solution isn’t about brute-force simulating everything, but rather focusing on what actually matters.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Fort Lauderdale police have stepped up patrols for the city's annual spring break, focusing on maintaining order with a strict no-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol on the beach.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, like Matteson, Childs did find the whole concept intriguing.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But there are intriguing possibilities.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While Montgomery isn’t concentrating on the results, his power has been on display recently.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, professionals are now multitasking at a greater rate, and spending less of their days concentrating on complex problems.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
-
To have these books is such a gift, because Patricia writes a fascinating crime story — great clue trail, great murderers.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In lesser hands, this could have been confusing; instead all the banter between a rock-spider-crawly alien entity and a handsome de-facto astronaut comes across as engaging and funny.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Swan is an engaging frontwoman as well as having the requisite smarts.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the right day, with enough time and space, the act of chopping, seasoning, and stirring can feel steady and absorbing.—
Michelle Beadle Holder,
SELF,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This novel by the author of 2020’s Breasts and Eggs is an absorbing story about teenagers on the margins of society struggling for a sense of control.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riveting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riveting. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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