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Synonyms

absorbing

American  
[ab-sawr-bing, -zawr-] / æbˈsɔr bɪŋ, -ˈzɔr- /

adjective

  1. extremely interesting; deeply engrossing.

    an absorbing drama.
absorbing British  
/ -ˈzɔːb-, əbˈsɔːbɪŋ /

adjective

  1. occupying one's interest or attention; engrossing; gripping

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • absorbingly adverb
  • nonabsorbing adjective
  • unabsorbing adjective
  • unabsorbingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of absorbing

First recorded in 1745–55; absorb + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The hosts discuss the unusual case of a smaller company absorbing a larger one, and why Unilever’s stock is currently plummeting.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

"But absorbing extra costs is not a sustainable practice for companies. If things get worse, customers are likely to face the heat," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

“Maybe I was absorbing too much as actual lessons on how to live my life and how to interact with regular society.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

After nearly a year of absorbing higher import costs, businesses are now passing those costs on to consumers, squeezing household budgets further.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

To classmates, he seemed obsessed with absorbing information and new ideas.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.