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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 market is capable of absorbing risks related to exchange-rate fluctuations,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

She closed her eyes, absorbing the cool air, when she heard the impossible boy calling her name.

From Literature

The bass genius Thundercat has, to his regret, been spending way too much time absorbing bad news on his phone.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, richer drivers are still absorbing the costs, he said.

From MarketWatch

Airports are also absorbing a crush of travelers during this spring break season.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.