Riveting
What it means
Holding attention so strongly that it is difficult to look or turn away.
Reach for it when praising sustained fascination rather than mere importance
The witness gave a riveting account of the mountain rescue.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday |
|
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when curiosity remains active
Careful Fascinating may be intellectual rather than dramatic.
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everyday
Fits when tension holds the audience
Careful Gripping often suggests danger.
-
warm
Fits when attention is quietly sustained
Careful Absorbing is less intense.
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professional
Fits when interest or persuasive force is strong
Careful Compelling may describe an argument.
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formal
Fits when complete concentration is the effect
Careful Engrossing lacks riveting tension.
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literary
Fits when the audience seems enchanted
Careful Spellbinding can overstate realism.
Opposites 3
- boring
- forgettable
- tedious
Common phrases 3
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riveting story
The guide told a riveting story about the tunnel.
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absolutely riveting
Her unscripted explanation was absolutely riveting.
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riveting performance
A riveting performance held the hall in silence.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated