captivated

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ed ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-təd How to pronounce captivated (audio)
: having one's interest or attention held or captured by something or someone charming, beautiful, entertaining, etc.
The captivated audience oohed and aahed as colorful patterns emerged on an overhead screen …Jean Hennelly Keith
At dinner, Wayne keeps the conversation smooth, like a captivated courtier seeking Neil's mother's hand.David Leavitt

Examples of captivated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Vietnam, securing the second spot, captivated travelers with its blend of modernity and tradition. Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Cheryl Dunye’s wry classic rom-com follows a version of herself—a lesbian filmmaker living in Philadelphia—who becomes captivated by the Watermelon Woman, an obscure (and fictional) actor whose life story reveals the hidden challenges of race and sexuality in early Hollywood. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2024 But what captivated director Ava DuVernay in the pages was the abundance of intimate human relationships woven throughout. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2024 However, what captivated fans most was the claim that it was inspired by actual events. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2023 Hadid’s chameleon-like quality is one of many reasons why fans remain captivated by her wardrobe, and her latest ensemble does not disappoint. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2023 Using your personal story to build your brand will create a more captivated audience and allow people to connect with you and your brand simultaneously, giving you the benefit of instant brand loyalty. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023 The surrender, the rhythms of nature, wide-open spaces that require us to yield to what is: All those things and more captivated Einzig, and soon what started as a pastime became an obsession. Lara Einzig, Sunset Magazine, 31 July 2023 With the matter settled and accolades distributed, captivated mathematicians returned to their normal research programs. Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 24 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'captivated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivated was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near captivated

Cite this Entry

“Captivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivated. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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