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.”
enthralled by the flickering fire in the hearth, we lost all track of time
for years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Van Gogh’s life and work continue to enthrall the public more than 130 years after his death.—Leslie Katz, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Bombadil is an intriguing character in the novels, with a curiously lackadaisical attitude toward the ring that enthralls nearly everyone else in Middle-earth.—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2024 Swimming against the current, and splashing water in our faces, has always seems to enthrall and energize him and Smashing Pumpkins.—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2024 These seven easy-to-pack products are sure to enthrall.—Catherine Garcia, theweek, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for enthrall
Share