captivate

verb

cap·ti·vate ˈkap-tə-ˌvāt

captivated; captivating

Synonyms of captivate next

transitive verb

: 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.

archaic : seize, capture

captivation

ˌkap-tə-ˈvā-shən

noun

captivator

ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tər

noun

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

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.

Whether you’re drawn to her Kate Moss Fragrance, inspired by her supermodel success story, or captivated by this latest collaboration, one thing is clear: the Kate Moss x Zara collection is a masterclass in branding, style, and the enduring power of reinvention. —

Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 Internet Obsessed With Affectionate Parents: 'This Is Wealth' By Soo Kim Life and Trends Reporter 0 A viral video showcasing a touching example of parental sacrifice has captivated viewers on TikTok. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024 All were captivated by the uncertain promise of a better future: traders and trackers, surveyors and settlers, missionaries and soldiers, lawmen and outlaws — people just making their way. —

Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2024 The rest of the weekend did not disappoint with captivating talks about the hunt for Earth's twin planet and how artificial intelligence is transforming astrophysics for the better. —

Jessica Hullinger, theweek, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for captivate