captivated

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ed ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-təd How to pronounce captivated (audio)
: having one's interest or attention held or captured by something or someone charming, beautiful, entertaining, etc.
The captivated audience oohed and aahed as colorful patterns emerged on an overhead screen …Jean Hennelly Keith
At dinner, Wayne keeps the conversation smooth, like a captivated courtier seeking Neil's mother's hand.David Leavitt

Examples of captivated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Mendelson couldn't be more excited for a new audience to learn about the legend who rewrote Hollywood's rules, captivated crowds and devoted her platform to the AIDS crisis. Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 Sophia Loren has long captivated audiences with her regal beauty and arresting onscreen presence. Juliana Ukiomogbe, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2025 For years, the Murdoch family drama has played out like a real-life version of HBO’s Succession — its heirs and rival power brokers contributing to a quasi-Shakespearean media saga that’s captivated investors, press critics, and political observers alike. Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Strategic social and traditional media campaigns captivated fans and the wider public, turning a scientific experiment into a global conversation. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captivated

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivated was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Captivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivated. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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