captivate

verb

cap·ti·vate | \ ˈkap-tə-ˌvāt

captivated; captivating

Definition of captivate

1 : to influence and dominate by some special charm, art, or trait and with an irresistible appeal We were captivated by her beauty. The scenery captivated our attention.

2 archaic : seize, capture

Other Words from captivate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about captivate

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of captivate in a Sentence

The play has been captivating audiences for years. the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, the brand has expanded their home line to captivating crystal trays for your vanity or nightstand, photo frames, jewelry stands, decorative geodes, and more. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Celeb Jeweler Kendra Scott's New Home Line Is Inspired by Crystals," 21 Feb. 2019 The Absolute Unit Has Staying Power John Galliano’s captivating statement on shape and size at Maison Margiela is alluring, but it’s Demna Gvasalia’s packed-on parkas at Balenciaga that captured hearts. — Vogue, "The Best Fashion Trends of 2018, According to You, Our Instagram Followers," 18 Dec. 2018 There’s something inherently captivating about having an experience of that scale in the palm of your hands, or to be able to jump back and forth between your TV and tablet while using the same device. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, "Mobile games like Hidden Folks are perfect for the Switch," 31 Oct. 2018 The newspaper described the once captivating debutante launched a successful career as a model at age 17. — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, "Jackie Kennedy Onassis was 'horrified' of recluse aunt, cousin living in crumbling Grey Gardens, book claims," 12 Sep. 2018 Both blonde with similar smiles and wide blue eyes, Kitty has captivated the fashion world in much the same way. — Tamara Abraham, Harper's BAZAAR, "Lady Kitty Spencer Finally Steps Into the Spotlight," 19 Mar. 2019 The rom-com has captivated fans, leading some to compare the film to another Netflix holiday classic, A Christmas Prince. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, "Fans Spotted Mistakes in Netflix's "The Princess Switch," Including Vanessa Hudgens's Body Double," 19 Nov. 2018 From North and South America, to Asia and the Middle East, K-pop has captivated the minds and ears of millions and millions of people from all walks of life. — Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, "Digital Network HALLYPOP Celebrating K-Pop & Asian Music Launching This Summer: Exclusive," 24 Apr. 2018 Wordless picture books captivate imaginations and rely on pitch-perfect illustrations to great effect. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "The 17 best kids’ books about design and cities," 12 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'captivate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.