: 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
Examples of gripping in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The question the film ultimately asks is whether a third way is at all possible, leading to a gripping final combat that’s much less a knockout than a bitter victory.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
The bottom side of the mat has a gripping texture that keeps the mat in place, but this side is not as friendly to your skin.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Netflix is known for its gripping true crime content, and the streamer’s next documentary will leave viewers’ heads spinning.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
The film delivers a fascinating look back at a pivotal moment in civil rights history that doubles as a gripping political thriller, piecing together the details of the demonstration and how, day by day, these courageous young adults turned the tide of public opinion.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gripping
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.
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
The bottom side of the mat has a gripping texture that keeps the mat in place, but this side is not as friendly to your skin.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Netflix is known for its gripping true crime content, and the streamer’s next documentary will leave viewers’ heads spinning.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
The film delivers a fascinating look back at a pivotal moment in civil rights history that doubles as a gripping political thriller, piecing together the details of the demonstration and how, day by day, these courageous young adults turned the tide of public opinion.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gripping
Cite this Entry
“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gripping. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share