as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract
a captivating performance by the young singing sensation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic
the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivating
Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
In addition to their sheer radiance, auroras are especially captivating because of their unpredictability.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
The first thing to be said about Paolo Sorrentino’s captivating portrait of an esteemed political leader in the waning days of his term is that Toni Servillo really is some kind of marvel.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
Different instruments are used to represent Peter, his animal friends and the wolf in this captivating work that includes a narrated story.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
In addition to their sheer radiance, auroras are especially captivating because of their unpredictability.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
The study’s analysis of social and traditional media revealed that popular cultural events and celebrity influence are powerful at captivating the public and enhancing their grasp of scientific concepts.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
The first thing to be said about Paolo Sorrentino’s captivating portrait of an esteemed political leader in the waning days of his term is that Toni Servillo really is some kind of marvel.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
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So instead of railing against technology, they’re focused on making the physical world as accessible and appealing as possible.—
Charlotte Alter,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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Here are the 12 features homebuyers are searching for, and what rooms are most appealing to potentially sell your home fast and boost your property value.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The vice president was a close friend of the charismatic conservative activist, who was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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On stage, DeMarco projected a charismatic, likable and humorous persona that went beyond his simple attire of a baseball cap and a T-shirt.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There are tons of enticing cold and hot drinks.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
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The company, which started in 1947 in Conecuh County, Alabama, has a potent combination of enticing hickory smoke and a patented blend of seasonings that set their products apart from the usual offerings in the grocery-store meat case.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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They can be used in place of dill leaves or in combination with them for an attractive presentation.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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One of the very attractive features of the amplituhedron, one that was noticed right away by Arkani-Hamed and Trnka, was that these two features, unitarity and locality, are necessary (but not fundamental) consequences that can be derived by using the amplituhedron framework.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then the picture begins to blur before coming back into clear focus to reveal Novak, still enchanting at 92, standing in a room filled with her paintings.—
Jeremy Helligar,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Meyers is celebrated for her charming aesthetic of cozy neutrals.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Garcia will play Renata, a disarmingly charming leader with a natural ability to win people over with her optimism and convivial personality.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Understanding that a hot exo-atmosphere would be large and inflated in size, and that graphite would absorb practically all of the starlight impacting that atmosphere if there were a high-altitude layer of it, represents a fascinating scenario for explaining the features of these planets.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
10 Sep. 2025
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Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And dialogue is something that McConaughey, with a Southern drawl that veers between seductive and evangelical, excels at delivering.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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Another top luxury executive who has spent time with de Meo described him as a product-minded, hands-on developer with a seductive personality, good taste and a penchant for expensive watches.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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