captivating

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ing ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ 

: charmingly or irresistibly appealing

a captivating aroma

It's an utterly exotic combination of flavors, and a completely captivating one.

—Howard Seftel

Books with captivating stories and bright, uncomplicated artwork will enchant the very young without being too demanding.

—Ed Zotti

A captivating storyteller, he conveys the cozy domesticity of the small-time growers as well as the Technicolor style of life of the big deal-makers.

—Alison Friesinger

captivatingly adverb

a captivatingly sweet voice

Each room is named for a month, and January through December are captivatingly filled with fanciful hearts, flowers, and vines that trail over the beds, chests, and wardrobes.

—Mimi Elder

Synonyms of captivating

• appealing
• charismatic
• attractive
• charming
• enchanting
• fascinating
• seductive

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation

Recent Examples on the Web

Of course, longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg thought otherwise, and with Schindler's List, the pairing once again proves fortuitous and captivating. —Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026

When the truth finally comes out, this intimate drama melts into a captivating experiment in genre to explore complex themes of grief and ancestral memory. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026

Jeanette’s passion for native plants and water-optimizing landscaping brought these topics to many who would otherwise never learn of these captivating possibilities. —Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

The flavors will be captivating, but the feast for the eyes will entice as well. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for captivating

• abdicating
• abrogating
• activating
• actuating
• advocating
• aggravating
• aggregating
• agitating
• allocating
• alternating
• animating
• annotating