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The history of enthrall appeals far less than the word as we use it today might suggest. In Middle English, enthrallen meant “to deprive of privileges; to put in bondage.” Thrall then, as now, referred to bondage or slavery. An early figurative use of enthrall appeared in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape.” But we rarely use even this sense of mental or moral control anymore. More often, the word simply suggests a state of being generally captivated or delighted by some particular thing. Enthrall is commonly found in its past participle form enthralled, which can mean “spellbound,” as in “we listened, enthralled, to the elder's oral history.”
Examples of enthrall in a Sentence
Esther Zuckerman, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Screaming engine notes inspire some fans, while power units configured to promote good racing enthrall others.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
In Möbius strip fashion, Gein grows obsessed with crime — and the toxic blooming of his obsession into murder goes on to enthrall the world.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper continue to enthrall the masses with their relatively secretive A-list partnership.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 30 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Enthrall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthrall. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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