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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

Vocabulary lists containing absorbing

12 More Interesting Ways to Say "interesting"

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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 history of art reads here as one long, free verse poem-in-progress, gorgeous and absorbing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

“It’s the state transit authority that is absorbing the cost — extra trains, extra personnel,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

"When labour comes together to demand a raise, we have to listen," he said, "but that often means cutting into already thin margins or absorbing losses on existing purchase orders."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

For retirees living on fixed incomes, absorbing that inflation is particularly hard.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Jane’s curiosity did not appear of that absorbing nature as wholly to occupy her.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

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.