rivet

verb

Definition of rivetnext
as in to focus
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rivet Carter had been weakened by the Iran hostage crisis, which had riveted the country for the previous year, but the Reagan campaign worried that if Carter secured a hostage release just before voters headed to the polls, the election would be his. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 But like many other Venezuelans, I am riveted by the pictures of endless rubble, of buildings whose facades have collapsed, displaying the rooms inside like dioramas of life before disaster. — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 Betty Kovacs, the eldest daughter of comedian Ernie Kovacs who with her sister Kippie and stepmother, actress-singer Edie Adams, was at the center of a nasty custody battle that kept Hollywood riveted in 1962, has died. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 In a world riveted by an unprecedented fossil fuel crisis, does anyone have time for a big summit on climate change? — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rivet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivet
  1. focus
  2. concentrate
Verb
  • Some participants loved the program, which, like EST, took place over four days and focused on personal transformation.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Reddington is focusing on the allegation that Clancy crushed pills and placed them in lemonade as part of her suicide attempt.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of focus
Verb
  • The local enrollment declines are mostly concentrated in local districts’ elementary schools.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Affordable housing production is increasingly concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods, while wealthier communities add fewer affordable homes.
    — David Schwartz, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of concentrate

Browse Nearby Words

rives
rivet
riveted
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Cite this Entry

“Rivet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivet. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rivet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rivet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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