captivate

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence. attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

• • students attracted by the school's locale

allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

• • an alluring smile

charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response

• • charmed by their hospitality

, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

• • her performances captivated audiences

fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

• • a story that continues to fascinate children

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