spellbinding
adjective
spell·bind·ing
ˈspel-ˌbīn-diŋ 
: holding the attention as if by a spell
a spellbinding story
Examples of spellbinding in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For readers and fans, this means more spellbinding narratives, relatable characters, and worlds waiting to be discovered.
—
Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
To keep your eyes fixed on him throughout a match is both spellbinding and deadly dull.
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2022
Check out its first direct image of a gas giant exoplanet as well as a spellbinding view of the Phantom Galaxy.
—Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Sep. 2022
This easy pullout on the Kancamagus Highway brings motorists face-to-face with a spellbinding view of the White Mountains that stretches on for miles.
—Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 10 Jan. 2022
The most spellbinding moment of the night came afterward, as the crew switched out James Krivchenia’s kick drum.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2021
Though the future of Venice is uncertain, the Pearl of the Adriatic remains one of the most spellbinding and iconic destinations in Europe.
—Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2020
Hear these and other French gems along with spellbinding Mazurakas and waltzes by piano royalty, Chopin.
—SFChronicle.com, 28 Feb. 2020
The Portland International Film Festival, better known as PIFF, has cultivated a reputation for spellbinding cinema, created here in Oregon and around the globe.
—oregonlive, 25 Feb. 2020
Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
To keep your eyes fixed on him throughout a match is both spellbinding and deadly dull.
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2022
Check out its first direct image of a gas giant exoplanet as well as a spellbinding view of the Phantom Galaxy.
—Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Sep. 2022
This easy pullout on the Kancamagus Highway brings motorists face-to-face with a spellbinding view of the White Mountains that stretches on for miles.
—Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 10 Jan. 2022
The most spellbinding moment of the night came afterward, as the crew switched out James Krivchenia’s kick drum.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2021
Though the future of Venice is uncertain, the Pearl of the Adriatic remains one of the most spellbinding and iconic destinations in Europe.
—Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2020
Hear these and other French gems along with spellbinding Mazurakas and waltzes by piano royalty, Chopin.
—SFChronicle.com, 28 Feb. 2020
The Portland International Film Festival, better known as PIFF, has cultivated a reputation for spellbinding cinema, created here in Oregon and around the globe.
—oregonlive, 25 Feb. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spellbinding.' 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
1827, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near spellbinding
Cite this Entry
“Spellbinding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spellbinding. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on spellbinding
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spellbinding
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share