gripping

adjective

grip·​ping ˈgri-piŋ How to pronounce gripping (audio)
: 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
grippingly adverb
a grippingly honest performance

Examples of gripping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The result is a gripping, propulsive journey into the nuclear heart of what might have been. Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025 From emotionally gripping shorts to sweeping documentaries, day one was an exploration of identity, imagination, and impact. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 6 July 2025 Fast-paced, gripping and featuring an unforgettable cast of characters, from high society women to a musical con artist, this one had our staff frantically Googling every character's backstory. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 July 2025 The Wondery investigative series, which came out last week, has rocketed up the charts with its gripping report about the Liberty Godparent Home, a maternity home for pregnant people operating on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gripping

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gripping was in 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gripping. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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