gripping
adjective
grip·ping ˈgri-piŋ 
: taking a powerful hold upon one's interest or feelings
a gripping thriller
Shabba Ranks has a gripping baritone voice that ranges from bedroom purr to locker-room-boast roar.
Mark Coleman
Mark Coleman grippingly adverb
a grippingly honest performance
Word History
First Known Use
1896, in the meaning defined above
gripping 1 of 2
adjective
as in engaging
holding the attention or provoking interest I found the exhibit on the Holocaust intensely gripping and quite moving Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- engaging
- interesting
- intriguing
- absorbing
- fascinating
- riveting
- engrossing
- enthralling
- exciting
- provocative
- involving
- immersing
- entertaining
- arresting
- consuming
- inspiring
- thrilling
- amazing
- amusing
- exhilarating
- electrifying
- captivating
- galvanizing
- enchanting
- breathtaking
- rousing
- striking
- attractive
- tantalizing
- stimulating
- electric
- spellbinding
- stirring
- mesmerizing
- unusual
- charming
- alluring
- bewitching
- astonishing
- emphatic
- showy
- surprising
- wondrous
- hypnotizing
- eventful
- wonderful
- curious
- astounding
- marvelous
- eye-opening
- weird
- marvellous
- splashy
- odd
- fabulous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dry
- heavy
- tedious
- boring
- dull
- uninteresting
- monotonous
- tiresome
- tiring
- wearisome
- drab
- sterile
- wearying
- unexciting
- discouraging
- demoralizing
- pedestrian
- dispiriting
- humdrum
- operose
- dreary
- disheartening
- pedantic
gripping
2 of 2verb
1
as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill Synonyms & Similar Words
- clenching
- clutching
- holding
- grabbing
- carrying
- cradling
- grasping
- handling
- taking
- clasping
- capturing
- snatching
- trapping
- hugging
- seizing
- grappling
- feeling
- hooking
- clinging (to)
- bagging
- snaring
- fingering
- nailing
- pawing
- catching
- holding on to
- corralling
- hanging on to
- landing
- embracing
- collaring
- bearing
- nabbing
- latching (on or onto)
- snapping (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- giving
- handing
- dropping
- delivering
- unclasping
- rendering
- yielding
- releasing
- relinquishing
- unhanding
- handing out
- handing over
- ceding
- turning over
- giving up
2
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit Synonyms & Similar Words
- fascinating
- enchanting
- thrilling
- mesmerizing
- spellbinding
- enthralling
- arresting
- hypnotizing
- entrancing
- engrossing
- engaging
- charming
- enrapturing
- bedazzling
- involving
- catching up
- bewitching
- beguiling
- absorbing
3
as in interesting
to hold the attention of that movie will grip any true sports car fan Synonyms & Similar Words
- interesting
- intriguing
- fascinating
- immersing
- engrossing
- occupying
- involving
- engaging
- enthralling
- absorbing
- attracting
- captivating
- busying
- enchanting
- distracting
- enwrapping
- bemusing
- mesmerizing
- preoccupying
- charming
- alluring
- bewitching
- catching one's eye
- hypnotizing
- beguiling
- obsessing
- catching up
- monopolizing
- hogging
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tiring
- boring
- wearying
- jading
- palling
4
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- grasping
- holding
- clasping
- taking
- clenching
- clutching
- snatching
- catching
- seizing
- laying hold of
- hanging on to
- nabbing
- clinging (to)
- holding on (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- freeing
- liberating
- releasing
- dropping
- discharging
- delivering
- giving
- transmitting
- handing
- transferring
- relinquishing
- passing
- entrusting
- handing over
- intrusting
- unhanding
- turning over