Synonyms of gripped

gripped

verb

past tense of grip

1

as in clenched

to have or keep in one's hands

gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clenched
• clutched
• held
• grabbed
• carried
• cradled
• clung (to)
• took
• grasped
• snatched
• hugged
• trapped
• seized
• captured
• handled
• clasped
• held on to
• bore
• felt
• hooked
• grappled
• hung on to
• caught
• fingered
• landed
• bagged
• nailed
• snapped (up)
• embraced
• snared
• corralled
• nabbed
• pawed
• collared
• latched (on or onto)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• handed
• gave
• dropped
• delivered
• unclasped
• rendered
• released
• relinquished
• unhanded
• yielded
• ceded
• turned over
• handed out
• handed over
• gave up

2

as in fascinated

to hold the attention of as if by a spell

that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fascinated
• enchanted
• mesmerized
• thrilled
• spellbound
• enthralled
• hypnotized
• arrested
• caught up
• entranced
• bedazzled
• enraptured
• engrossed
• involved
• charmed
• engaged
• bewitched
• beguiled
• absorbed

3

as in interested

to hold the attention of

that movie will grip any true sports car fan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interested
• intrigued
• immersed
• occupied
• fascinated
• involved
• attracted
• busied
• engrossed
• engaged
• enthralled
• absorbed
• enwrapped
• distracted
• enchanted
• preoccupied
• bemused
• captivated
• obsessed
• caught up
• caught one's eye
• charmed
• mesmerized
• bewitched
• hypnotized
• allured
• beguiled
• hogged
• monopolized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bored
• tired
• wearied
• jaded
• palled

4

as in grasped

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

• grasped
• held
• took
• clasped
• clenched
• clutched
• laid hold of
• caught
• held on (to)
• snatched
• seized
• hung on to
• clung (to)
• nabbed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dropped
• released
• freed
• discharged
• liberated
• passed
• gave
• handed
• delivered
• transferred
• transmitted
• relinquished
• entrusted
• turned over
• handed over
• unhanded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gripped

Paris — Students fought running battles with police and several schools were ablaze Friday as a new day of violence gripped France with no end in sight to protests that have rocked the country. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Secondly, as markets remain gripped by concerns around long-term public debt and fiscal sustainability globally, Gower acknowledged that higher bond yields remain a challenge for non-yielding assets like gold. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

The abundance of Southern California had clearly gripped the man. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

The effort is part of a growing pro-play movement emerging as the next phase of the ed-tech backlash that gripped classrooms across the country, and spurred cellphone bans and screen time limits. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

In the background of the dilemma over rising fuel prices, Nigeria’s energy market remains gripped by a years-long tension tied to the uneasy co-existence of petrol imports alongside a thriving refinery sector. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The term, once confined to technical science papers, has gripped Silicon Valley, steered trillions of dollars in investment and fanned fears of human displacement, or worse. — George Musser, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

And there Marcia was, slumped on the banquette, the plastic glass still gripped in her hand, her eyes rolled back. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

An immigrant of Indian descent who had moved to New York from Guyana, he was gripped by fear as an anti-Middle Eastern sentiment took hold in the wake of the attacks. — Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026