captivating

1 of 2

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ing ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ 

: charmingly or irresistibly appealing

a captivating aroma

It's an utterly exotic combination of flavors, and a completely captivating one.

—Howard Seftel

Books with captivating stories and bright, uncomplicated artwork will enchant the very young without being too demanding.

—Ed Zotti

A captivating storyteller, he conveys the cozy domesticity of the small-time growers as well as the Technicolor style of life of the big deal-makers.

—Alison Friesinger

captivatingly adverb

a captivatingly sweet voice

Each room is named for a month, and January through December are captivatingly filled with fanciful hearts, flowers, and vines that trail over the beds, chests, and wardrobes.

—Mimi Elder

captivating

2 of 2

present participle of captivate

Synonyms of captivating

Adjective

• appealing
• charismatic
• attractive
• charming
• enchanting
• fascinating
• seductive

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

Adjective

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Something can be beloved, complex, and captivating and still not be a planet; there is liberation—redemption, even—in realizing this world remains undiminished. — Mike Brown, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026

Along with a captivating Portuguese tile mural, the kitchen overlooks the lake and features a sunlit breakfast area, while a casual sitting room has a stone fireplace and coffered ceiling. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026

Now, Melton has become a key member of the Detroit Tigers’ present and a captivating part of their future. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

More than 200 years later, her wit, social observations and wonderfully flawed characters remain as captivating as ever. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1675, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for captivating

• abdicating
• abrogating
• activating
• actuating
• advocating
• aggravating
• aggregating
• agitating
• allocating
• alternating
• animating
• annotating