gripped with

USAGE SUMMARY

"gripped with" can be used in written English, and is most often used in the context of a strong emotion or a sense of being held in a tight grip or power.
For example: He was gripped with fear as he heard the footsteps coming closer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For the vertical gripping test, we placed mice on a horizontal grid that was gripped with both forelimbs and hind limbs.

Human Molecular Genetics

Over in Pescara, Fiorentina's players were gripped with disappointment.

The Guardian - Sport

It's no surprise we're gripped with election anxiety.

The Guardian

ANKARA — If the Turkish government appears gripped with arrogance, that's in part because it rules unopposed.

The New York Times

Sitting at a library table, I laid that notebook flat, gripped with an uncertain fear.

The New Yorker

Kuyt, Peter Crouch, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun all had chances but seemed gripped with indecision.

Independent

What is certain is that India is gripped with political uncertainty.

The New York Times

"Two years ago, everyone was gripped with fear," said a mortgage broker, Grant Stern.

The New York Times

By Christmas, the south of France was already gripped with Bielsista fever.

The Guardian - Sport

But Zuma, like his predecessor, is gripped with paranoia about plots against him.

The Guardian

The nation was gripped with the story of a miserable, crumbling marriage.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gripped with" to vividly describe situations where someone is experiencing an intense emotion or is strongly affected by a circumstance. For example, "The nation was gripped with fear after the attack."

Common error

Avoid using "gripped with" when a milder term would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "The audience was gripped with interest", consider "The audience was interested."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gripped with" functions as a verb phrase + preposition, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that the subject is experiencing a strong emotional or physical effect. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gripped with" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey a state of being intensely affected by a feeling or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across varied sources. Grammatically sound, it typically functions as a verb phrase + preposition, describing the overwhelming impact of emotions or circumstances. While suitable for news and general contexts, writers should consider if a less intense alternative would be more appropriate to maintain stylistic balance. With examples spanning from news articles to scientific publications, it is clear that "gripped with" effectively communicates strong emotional or physical influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Seized by

Focuses on the sudden and forceful nature of being affected by something.

Consumed by

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of a feeling or thought.

Overcome by

Highlights the overwhelming effect of an emotion or sensation.

Filled with

Indicates a state of being completely permeated by something.

Beset by

Suggests being persistently troubled or attacked by something.

In the throes of

Implies being in the midst of a difficult or intense experience.

Affected by

A more general term indicating influence or impact.

Engrossed in

Highlights being deeply absorbed or occupied by something.

Preoccupied with

Indicates being primarily focused or concerned with something.

Bound by

Suggests being constrained or restricted by something.

FAQs

How can I use "gripped with" in a sentence?

"Gripped with" is used to describe a state of being overcome or intensely affected by a feeling or situation. For example, "She was gripped with fear when she heard the noise".

What are some alternatives to "gripped with"?

You can use alternatives such as "seized by", "consumed by", or "overcome by" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "gripped with fear" or "filled with fear"?

"Gripped with fear" implies a more intense and overwhelming experience than "filled with fear". The best choice depends on the degree of intensity you want to convey.

Can "gripped with" be used to describe positive emotions?

Yes, although it's more commonly used with negative emotions like fear or anxiety, "gripped with" can also describe positive emotions, such as "gripped with excitement" or "gripped with passion", to emphasize the intensity of the feeling.