absorbing

1 of 2

adjective

ab·​sorb·​ing əb-ˈsȯr-biŋ How to pronounce absorbing (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
Synonyms of absorbingnext
: fully taking one's attention : engrossing
an absorbing novel
absorbingly
əb-ˈsȯr-biŋ-lē How to pronounce absorbing (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
adverb

absorbing

2 of 2

present participle of absorb

Synonyms of absorbing

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Adjective

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Examples of absorbing in a Sentence

Adjective shell collecting can be so absorbing that you don't notice the tide coming in
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
From that point on, Kusama’s absorbing and fresh art, once charged by avant-garde energies, became more or less a meaning-free expression of market principles, an exercise in branding. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Both are all-absorbing; both are forms of movement that transform one’s mind. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 This allowed the researchers to manipulate the materials’ light-absorbing and light-emitting behavior more predictably. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026 Find out for yourself in this finely detailed and utterly absorbing book, which reads like a thriller of the highest order. — Air Mail, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absorbing

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of absorb

First Known Use

Adjective

1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absorbing was in 1806

Rhymes for absorbing

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Browse Nearby Words

absorberman
absorbing
absorbingly
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Cite this Entry

“Absorbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorbing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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