arresting
adjective
ar·rest·ing ə-ˈre-stiŋ 
: catching the attention : striking, impressive
an arresting image
arrestingly
ə-ˈre-stiŋ-lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- absorbing
- consuming
- engaging
- engrossing
- enthralling
- fascinating
- gripping
- immersing
- interesting
- intriguing
- involving
- riveting
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa at seven feet tall, he's an arresting figure in any crowd
Recent Examples on the Web Wilde’s most arresting visual flourish is to reference the kaleidoscopic dance spectacles of Busby Berkeley, as Alice is repeatedly struck by black-and-white visions of 1930s-style showgirls dancing in circular formations. 
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Nan’s unflinching bravery in life and in work have made her one of the most arresting visual artists of our time. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Aug. 2022 Kucki Kom, one of Montenegro's most arresting peaks at 2,487 meters, is worth the trip alone, with the scramble to the top rewarded with huge views of the Komovi Mountains. Joe Minihane, CNN, 25 July 2022 One thing which is truly arresting is the fetichism sparked by Eva Perón, which is highly contemporary. Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 27 June 2022 In the visually arresting video, the singer is seen in a lush landscape wearing pretty, flowing pastel outfits, aptly capturing the season and embracing spring fever. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2022 Time Out of Mind was the arresting sound of a singer-songwriter entering his final act with eyes wide open, scared and vulnerable but not naive or intimidated. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2022 But the most arresting change has come from Germany. David Isaac, sun-sentinel.com, 5 Apr. 2022 The house’s most arresting design elements are the curved exterior walls that have been compared to tree trunks and elephant legs. Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2022 See More
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Nan’s unflinching bravery in life and in work have made her one of the most arresting visual artists of our time. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Aug. 2022 Kucki Kom, one of Montenegro's most arresting peaks at 2,487 meters, is worth the trip alone, with the scramble to the top rewarded with huge views of the Komovi Mountains. Joe Minihane, CNN, 25 July 2022 One thing which is truly arresting is the fetichism sparked by Eva Perón, which is highly contemporary. Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 27 June 2022 In the visually arresting video, the singer is seen in a lush landscape wearing pretty, flowing pastel outfits, aptly capturing the season and embracing spring fever. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2022 Time Out of Mind was the arresting sound of a singer-songwriter entering his final act with eyes wide open, scared and vulnerable but not naive or intimidated. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2022 But the most arresting change has come from Germany. David Isaac, sun-sentinel.com, 5 Apr. 2022 The house’s most arresting design elements are the curved exterior walls that have been compared to tree trunks and elephant legs. Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
from present participle of arrest entry 1
First Known Use
1792, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing arresting
arresting 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in engaging
holding the attention or provoking interest an arresting film about tribal traditions in Africa Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- engaging
- interesting
- intriguing
- absorbing
- fascinating
- gripping
- provocative
- involving
- riveting
- exciting
- enthralling
- engrossing
- inspiring
- immersing
- consuming
- entertaining
- striking
- amazing
- amusing
- enchanting
- electrifying
- breathtaking
- attractive
- captivating
- galvanizing
- unusual
- thrilling
- charming
- exhilarating
- tantalizing
- alluring
- mesmerizing
- stimulating
- bewitching
- astonishing
- stirring
- spellbinding
- rousing
- showy
- electric
- hypnotizing
- surprising
- emphatic
- wondrous
- astounding
- wonderful
- curious
- marvelous
- splashy
- eventful
- odd
- marvellous
- weird
- fabulous
- eye-opening
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dry
- uninteresting
- boring
- tedious
- heavy
- dull
- drab
- monotonous
- wearisome
- tiresome
- tiring
- sterile
- discouraging
- unexciting
- pedestrian
- demoralizing
- operose
- wearying
- pedantic
- disheartening
- dispiriting
- humdrum
- dreary
2
as in commanding
likely to attract attention at seven feet tall, he's an arresting figure in any crowd Synonyms & Similar Words
- commanding
- prominent
- noticeable
- striking
- dramatic
- remarkable
- impressive
- brilliant
- marked
- pronounced
- conspicuous
- outstanding
- showy
- interesting
- flamboyant
- emphatic
- eye-catching
- distinguished
- bold
- visible
- catchy
- noisy
- notable
- salient
- splashy
- glaring
- recognizable
- noteworthy
- loud
- discernible
- kenspeckle
- highlighted
- perceptible
- detectable
- eminent
- grabby
- absorbing
- fascinating
- screaming
- observable
- spectacular
- bodacious
- ornate
- riveting
- enthralling
- engrossing
- discernable
- fancy
- extravagant
- flagrant
- gaudy
- spotlighted
- swank
- flashy
- garish
- howling
- tawdry
- meretricious
- jazzy
- glitzy
- overwrought
- opulent
- ostentatious
- florid
- pretentious
- glittery
- overdone
- swanky
- hifalutin
- highfalutin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inconspicuous
- subtle
- unobtrusive
- unremarkable
- concealed
- obscure
- hidden
- unemphatic
- unshowy
- faint
- restrained
- insignificant
- shrouded
- unflamboyant
- modest
- unimportant
- dim
- simple
- unaffected
- undistinguished
- understated
- subdued
- unnoticeable
- subtle
- unassuming
- conservative
- quiet
- unpretentious
- plain
- muted
- unflashy
- toned-down
arresting
2 of 2verb
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- seizing
- apprehending
- detaining
- restraining
- capturing
- grabbing
- jailing
- committing
- snatching
- imprisoning
- catching
- nailing
- pinching
- nabbing
- collaring
- nicking
- incarcerating
- busting
- trapping
- running in
- hooking
- snaring
- confining
- handcuffing
- bagging
- grappling
- pulling in
- landing
- picking up
- holding
- getting
- shackling
- snapping (up)
- binding
- fettering
- locking (up)
- enchaining
- remanding
- interning
- jugging
- trammelling
- rearresting
- trammeling
- manacling
- immuring
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discharging
- releasing
- freeing
- liberating
- emancipating
- springing
- loosening
- loosing
- unchaining
- unbinding
2
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
- stopping
- halting
- stalling
- catching
- blocking
- checking
- staying
- hindering
- obstructing
- suspending
- stilling
- detaining
- impeding
- holding
- blockading
- pulling up
- baffling
- drawing up
- snagging
- stemming
- ending
- bringing up
- concluding
- clogging
- terminating
- holding up
- suppressing
- balking
- fetching up
- damming
- holding back
- repressing
- bottlenecking
- squashing
- stunting
- discontinuing
- cutting off
- calling
- squelching
- turning back
- staunching
- choking off
- stanching
- reining (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuing
- moving
- persisting
- keeping (on)
- advancing
- proceeding
- marching
- progressing
- stirring
- keeping up
- running on
- pushing
- following through (with)
- driving
- spurring
- propelling
- impelling
- goading
- wending
- actuating
- faring
- carrying on
- going along
- budging
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
- fascinating
- enchanting
- mesmerizing
- gripping
- spellbinding
- thrilling
- hypnotizing
- enthralling
- entrancing
- charming
- bedazzling
- bewitching
- engaging
- engrossing
- involving
- beguiling
- enrapturing
- catching up
- absorbing