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The history of enthrall appeals far less than the word as we use it today might suggest. In Middle English, enthrallen meant “to deprive of privileges; to put in bondage.” Thrall then, as now, referred to bondage or slavery. An early figurative use of enthrall appeared in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape.” But we rarely use even this sense of mental or moral control anymore. More often, the word simply suggests a state of being generally captivated or delighted by some particular thing. Enthrall is commonly found in its past participle form enthralled, which can mean “spellbound,” as in “we listened, enthralled, to the elder's oral history.”
Synonyms
Examples of enthrall in a Sentence
Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2024
Swimming against the current, and splashing water in our faces, has always seems to enthrall and energize him and Smashing Pumpkins.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2024
These seven easy-to-pack products are sure to enthrall.
—Catherine Garcia, theweek, 17 July 2024
The universe is bolstering your ability to enthrall an audience, thanks to today’s Full Moon in your 5th House of Creativity.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for enthrall 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enthrall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Enthrall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthrall. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
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