arresting

[ uh-res-ting ]

adjective

1. attracting or capable of attracting attention or interest; striking:

   an arresting smile.

2. making or having made an arrest:

   the arresting officer.

arresting

/ əˈrɛstɪŋ /

adjective

1. attracting attention; striking

Derived Forms

• arˈrestingly, adverb

Other Words From

• ar·resting·ly adverb
• nonar·resting adjective
• unar·resting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arresting¹

arrest + -ing ²

Example Sentences

It was an arresting discovery that reinforced many people’s assumptions.

From Washington Post

Perhaps the most arresting object is an awl, ground from a long piece of iron wire.

From Popular-Science

Ayorinde gives the season’s most arresting performance, and she is as convincing as ever here.

From Time

It was an arresting view, and the perfect backdrop for a summit selfie.

From Outside Online

The arresting officer identified him a “black” on the paperwork.

From The Daily Beast

Brown himself spent years arresting sex workers when, as Forman relays, “what [he] really wanted to do [was] help them.”

From The Daily Beast

Federal officials spent Wednesday arresting members of the Boyle Heights-based street gang which has strong ties to La Eme.

From The Daily Beast

The Bees Laline Paull (Ecco) This arresting debut novel is a daring dystopian story set in a beehive.

From The Daily Beast

Even good, arresting visual art is transformed by its context.

From The Daily Beast

Now Diard, far from arresting the spot of oil on his garments left by his antecedents, did his best to spread it.

From Project Gutenberg

Did not a famous theologian recognize the absurdity of admitting the existence of a God and arresting His course?

From Project Gutenberg

If she dies, I have the means of arresting Selim before he can escape.

From Project Gutenberg

It is her extraordinary charm and her arresting personality.

From Project Gutenberg

"You love poetry," said he once, pausing, and arresting my fascinated glance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• extraordinary
• eye-catching
• impressive
• remarkable
• salient
• striking
• stunning