riveted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "riveted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something is held in place or strongly engaged with something else. For example, "The audience was riveted to the speaker's every word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The case riveted the city – Rondeau had been a homecoming queen – and became the stuff of tabloids and even a TV recreation.

The Guardian

There have been times when she just hasn't made it all the way to school: she sits in a park on her own, wondering why she finds it all so hard while her friends trundle on ahead in their "normality"; she has been doubled up in a laneway near the school crying, riveted by her anxiety.

The Guardian - Opinion

If I watched it now I'd probably be freaked out but I remember at the time being totally riveted, to the point where my mum had to buy me the video.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Not only is it lighter, there is also a big manufacturing advantage: large sections, like the main area of a wing, can be made in one go rather than being riveted together from lots of individual components.Look, no handsIt is the strength, lightness and potential saving on manual labour offered by carbon fibre that makes the material attractive for a variety of products.

The Economist

Islanders listened, riveted, to dramatic live broadcasts as 69 witnesses were interviewed.

The Economist

He has the trick of appearing to speak truth to power while being riveted to power himself.

The Economist

The body panels are riveted on to the frames in a way that Henry Ford would recognise immediately.

The Economist

The spectacle of an ordinary girl accused of extraordinary brutality riveted viewers who entrust their own children to hired help rather than to family members—relative strangers instead of strange relatives, in one commentator's words.But the trial itself, however mesmerising, proved tame compared with what followed.

The Economist

WHILE the eyes of the world have been riveted on events in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, a post-election stalemate in Côte d'Ivoire, once the jewel of west Africa but now a byword for bloody chaos and division, has been getting nastier by the day (see article).

The Economist

THE kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's infant son from his nursery riveted America and the world in 1932.

The Economist

Now Mr Rosenberg's explosive posthumous accusation has riveted the country, and threatens to plunge an already fragile democracy into crisis.In the video, Mr Rosenberg contends that the government had offered a spot on the board of Banrural, a state-owned development bank, to Khalil Musa, one of his clients, a farmer and textile manufacturer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "riveted" when you want to emphasize that someone's attention is completely captured, often due to something dramatic, surprising, or significant. It implies a strong, almost immovable focus.

Common error

Avoid using "riveted" to describe a casual or mild interest. The word conveys a sense of intense fascination and being utterly captivated. Use words like 'interested' or 'intrigued' for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "riveted" is as the past participle of the verb 'rivet'. It's commonly used in passive constructions or as an adjective to describe something that holds attention firmly. Ludwig examples confirm its active and passive usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "riveted" functions primarily as a verb or adjective, signifying a state of being intensely focused or firmly fastened. Grammatically correct and widely used, as Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When describing intense attention alternatives like "enthralled" or "captivated" are suitable. It's crucial to use "riveted" to accurately reflect a state of deep captivation, not just mild interest. Remember, "riveted" conveys a strong, almost immovable focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enthralled

Implies a captivating and spellbound state, going beyond simple attention.

captivated

Suggests a strong attraction that holds one's interest completely.

mesmerized

Indicates being hypnotized or spellbound, a more intense form of fascination.

engrossed

Focuses on being completely absorbed in something, often to the exclusion of other things.

fascinated

Highlights a strong interest and curiosity, drawing one's attention.

glued

Conveys the idea of being unable to move or look away, often used informally.

hooked

Suggests an addictive quality that keeps someone intensely interested.

spellbound

Emphasizes the magical or enchanting quality that holds attention.

attracted

Denotes a milder pull of interest, not necessarily as intense as "riveted".

fixed

Focuses on a steady and unwavering gaze or attention on something.

FAQs

How can I use "riveted" in a sentence?

You can use "riveted" to describe someone's intense focus or attention, such as: "The audience was "riveted" by the speaker's story." It can also describe something being firmly fastened, like "The metal plates were "riveted" together."

What can I say instead of "riveted" when describing intense attention?

Alternatives to "riveted" include "enthralled", "captivated", "mesmerized", or "engrossed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "riveted by" or "riveted to"?

Both "riveted by" and "riveted to" are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Riveted by" is used more often when describing something that captures your attention, while "riveted to" can also imply physical attachment or being unable to move.

What's the difference between "captivated" and "riveted"?

"Captivated" implies being charmed or delighted, while "riveted" suggests a more intense, almost immovable focus, often due to something dramatic or surprising. You might be "captivated" by a beautiful painting, but "riveted" by a suspenseful movie.