enchant

Synonym Chooser

How is the word enchant different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of enchant are allure, attract, captivate, charm, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Where would allure be a reasonable alternative to enchant?

The synonyms allure and enchant are sometimes interchangeable, but allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When is attract a more appropriate choice than enchant?

The meanings of attract and enchant largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How do charm and captivate relate to one another, in the sense of enchant?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

In what contexts can fascinate take the place of enchant?

The words fascinate and enchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

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 enchant Like millions of viewers, Rashad Raisani grew enchanted with Music City through watching the soapy nighttime drama Nashville, which captivated fans during its 2012-2018 run and led to a major tourism boom in Nashville and interest in country music. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025 The mass of greenery sets the stage as a fresh background for blooming plants or can enchant visitors on its own. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025 Let yourself be enchanted by the possibilities, but also anchor them — sketch the dream, but also build the frame to hold it. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025 He and his mother, the late Eve Branson, were enchanted. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant
Verb
  • Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.
    Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Elizabeth is fascinated by insects and science.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The reactor also possesses a strong negative temperature coefficient, meaning the nuclear reaction naturally slows as temperatures rise, preventing a runaway event.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The current policy, last revised in 2010, allows students to possess electronic devices during the school day but prohibits their use unless approved for educational purposes.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • There’s a reason Fiyero charmed both Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande), after all!
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Aspiring actor Jason Cohen is a happy-go-lucky server who has charmed everyone at SUR.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • However, the Covid-19 pandemic and a rough go in the public markets in 2022 ultimately spelled its doom.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • In 2019, Steve Smith faced a ferocious Jofra Archer spell at Lord’s and the aftermath was telling.
    Darren Richman, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Even less thorny issues on Capitol Hill don’t seem to be enticing the president these days.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Nov. 2025
  • If the easy ticket system and 75 miles of ski terrain here aren't enough to entice you, perhaps the resort's appointment as the host of the 2026 Winter Olympics will.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Grace’s playfully feral wantonness is funny and bewitching, but her schtick loses its luster for Jackson, who takes a job that keeps him away from home, leaving her with the baby.
    Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The vampy glam—propeled by a makeup bag full of Dior Beauty—was in a bewitching rhythm with her sculptural black Dior gown and a black and silver buckle choker.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • One-by-one, these teams utterly transformed their way of working because the entire design and execution of the program was based on delighting them and adding value at every touchpoint.
    Phil Gilbert, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Choudhary, a collector of contemporary art as well as Indian artifacts, considered a career in hospitality before he was seduced by the gems his family has traded for centuries.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Jacob plots to seduce his employers and gain an advantage from their industry connections, but unwittingly walks into a trap.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on enchant

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