1
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commanding
likely to attract attention
at seven feet tall, he's an arresting figure in any crowd
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in seizing
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the inept robber was promptly arrested by the off-duty policeman he had tried to hold up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
the sight of the daredevil walking a tightrope between high-rises arrested area pedestrians and motorists alike
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arresting
Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 29 July 2025
In one of the most arresting sequences in the autofictional section, the narrator visits a psychic in Mexico, Michal, who offers to rid her of ‘entities’ that are hindering her recovery.
—Book Marks
july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Jan. 2026
Several hundred people were killed, including dozens of members of the security forces, who waged a dramatic crackdown in response, arresting hundreds of people.
—CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arresting
Adjective
Yet the most vital and arresting moment occurs 19 pages in, well before Osunde has formally introduced most of the novel’s players.
—Verb
On Thanksgiving Day, deputies in Johnson County broke up a separate cockfighting ring in Alvarado, arresting 25 people and recovering 74 roosters.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for arresting
Adjective
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The Cowboys have mastered the art of entertaining and interesting better than any sports franchise in the world, but there is a redundancy that to the person who spends a lot of their money on it is justifiably checked out.—
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Seeing these guys unapologetically portrayed by an actor whose superpower is the audience is always with him was interesting.—
Adjective
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At this point, Lawrence needs a commanding postseason display to turn that around.—
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The Colorado Avalanche solidified their lead atop the Central Division on Sunday, emphatically, building a commanding lead and giving Minnesota Wild fans precious little to cheer about.—
Verb
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But seizing current oil production is one thing; overhauling Venezuela's entire oil industry would be another.—
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Trump has occasionally discussed seizing Greenland since his first term but few initially took his threats seriously.—
Verb
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The Rhode founder and her stylist Dani Michele delivered a show-stopping moment on the red carpet, pulling a shimmering 2009 Armani Privé gown from the archives.—
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Stroll through the Funk Zone, stopping at wineries, breweries, and local shops along the way.—
Verb
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Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Adjective
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Their ongoing collaboration makes for an eclectic and engaging body of work.—
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Another way to make snowshoeing even more engaging?—
Adjective
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The tint is sheer and subtle but makes a noticeable difference in evening out skin tone and camouflaging discoloration.—
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While Reconcept recommends sessions of at least 30 minutes, shorter experiences can still produce noticeable effects.—
Verb
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Protesters in Minneapolis have since flooded the streets in the thousands, and ICE agents have responded by apprehending some, shoving others to the ground, and spraying chemical irritants in their faces.—
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While our immigration enforcement should be focused on apprehending and prosecuting violent criminals to make our communities safer, these ICE actions are doing the opposite and making our state less safe.—
Cite this Entry
“Arresting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arresting. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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