ARRESTING Synonyms: 293 Similar and Opposite Words

arresting 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈre-stiŋ

Definition of arresting

as in interesting

holding the attention or provoking interest an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commanding

likely to attract attention at seven feet tall, he's an arresting figure in any crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

arresting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arrest

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stopping

to bring (something) to a standstill cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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.

Recent Examples of arresting

Adjective

The most arresting aspect of her art is the live show - with Cherie performing barefoot behind a translucent screen for her 40-minute set. — Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 26 Apr. 2026 Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony played no small role in lifting the collective mood, preparing Tokyo to create what now feels like the world’s most arresting capital. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

Verb

But his belief is that to be beside her with a minuscule chance of arresting her behavior is the best chance. — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 Two years earlier, a Senatobia police officer was fired for arresting a 10-year-old boy for urinating in public. — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arresting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arresting

Adjective

An interesting detail is that four ESSMs can fit into one compatible launch cell.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
That leaves an interesting question about how cities should handle future confrontations between pedestrians and commercial robots.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of interesting

Verb

But Pollard was ruled down just outside the end zone in the second quarter, and Cleveland turned the Titans over on downs with Maliek Collins stopping Pollard on fourth-and-goal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
But there's nothing stopping users from posting images or videos made with third party filters to the platform — or onto TikTok and Instagram, for that matter.

— Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

From bizarre medical tests to a mass phobia of beans, here are 14 surprising facts that reveal just how inventive, eccentric, and fascinating the ancient Greeks really were.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
The trailer promises fascinating new characters, like one man who lives on a sailboat for most of the year.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of fascinating

Adjective

Established in 2016 by physicist Stephen Hawking and Starmus, the award honors those who have gone above and beyond to make science accessible, engaging and inspiring.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Monet’s water lilies are a big draw, but the collection is overall smart and engaging.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of engaging

Adjective

Our final list is made up of the best six neck creams for older women that firmed skin and made things like tech neck, sagging, and crepey texture look a lot less noticeable and smoother.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
Aldi’s Benton’s Original Chocolate Sandwich Creme Cookies have become a frequent Oreo comparison, and a Simply Recipes blind taste test found noticeable differences between the two, with the reviewer ultimately preferring Oreos.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Verb

Only instead of just peacefully apprehending opponents, Doncic’s super-competitive alter ego wants to smash them all under an array of increasingly rude step-back jumpers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The film cuts between Murray cautiously opening the suspicious package and FBI agents apprehending Kaczynski decades later.

— Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of apprehending

Browse Nearby Words

arrestees

arresting

arrestment

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Arresting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arresting. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of arresting

adjective

verb

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