riveted

[ riv-i-tid ]

adjective

1. fixed in place with or as if with rivets, fastened firmly:

   The two sections of the screen are attached to each other with a riveted hinge.

   The skillet features a riveted handle which provides a cool and safe grip for the user.

2. having or using rivets:

   Denim for the riveted work pants came from a mill in New Hampshire that was known for the quality of its fabrics.

3. firmly attentive:

   Last winter, the professor lectured on Darwin to a riveted audience in the Plainfield Opera House.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of rivet.

Other Words From

• un·riv·et·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of riveted¹

rivet ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

It’s still a struggle for the industry — so much so that the nation was riveted early this year when Tracy Chapman took the stage with Luke Combs and together, with the help of a story about poverty in America, they reminded us all that music was never meant to keep us apart.

From Los Angeles Times

Like everyone, I was riveted and horrified while watching the live coverage from the Capitol on January 6, and absolutely felt like this was America’s Reichstag moment.

From Salon

The jurors — a diverse cross-section of Manhattan residents and professional backgrounds — often appeared riveted by testimony in the trial, including from Cohen and Daniels.

From Seattle Times

“I didn’t know his name, but I was riveted by the power of the song’s message of social outrage and to see Dylan reporting like a journalist through his music and lyrics.”

From New York Times

Daniels’ sometimes graphic testimony over two days riveted jurors and drew upset from defense attorneys who decried it on Thursday as prejudicial and overly gratuitous.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• fast
• robust
• solid
• steady
• strong
• sturdy
• substantial
• tenacious
• tight
• unshakable