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
Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
These captivating Southern tales will charm kids—and adults—with their sweet stories and imaginative illustrations.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 Mar. 2026
But there’s far more to this captivating country than just sun, sea views and sand.
—Katie Silcox, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
Her expressive movement quality, dynamic body use, and authentic facial expressions create performances that are captivating and emotionally compelling.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
These captivating Southern tales will charm kids—and adults—with their sweet stories and imaginative illustrations.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
For decades, fans, editors, and her Hollywood colleagues have gushed about how uniquely captivating her scent is, including fellow stars like Lil Nas X, Jennifer Lawrence, and Cardi B (and yes, Rihanna herself has posted the evidence).
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 Mar. 2026
But there’s far more to this captivating country than just sun, sea views and sand.
—Katie Silcox, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
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Their rare sprinkling of colorful choices throughout were even less appealing to the modern aesthete’s eye, right down to the pinkish-red bathroom.—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2026
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Now, agents field interest from sometimes dozens of potential buyers, and authors can pick the deal most appealing to them.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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My mother had found a new, more revolutionary role model to follow—Fred Hampton, the charismatic twenty-one-year-old chairman of the Chicago Black Panthers.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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After years of victories in the name of campesinos, the group and its charismatic leaders seem ready for what’s next.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the open kitchen concept, with local produce and jars of pickles on display for guests to touch, taste, and smell, makes going off-menu just as enticing—just ask the chef for suggestions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Streaming platforms have reached a point of growth where enticing new subscribers isn’t a top priority.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Buddhavarapu has a price target of $6 per share and says the stock is too attractive to ignore at current prices.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
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Considering that this metal was priced over $100 in January, around the same time the price of gold was surging, today's price serves as an attractive, cost-effective opportunity to get started with the metal.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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This enchanting 500-year-old Grade II cottage is set in 12 acres of mature gardens and land – including paddocks, a kitchen garden, and access with frontage on the River Arun (including fishing rights), ideal for kayaking and other water pursuits.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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My experience Sorce is nestled off of East Seventh Street in an unassuming, yet undeniably charming building.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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And best of all, in my opinion, the old Writers Bar, which was barely a bar at all and hardly worth writing about, has been shifted to the front of the main building, greatly expanded and transformed into one of the most charming bars in a city that is full of charming bars.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is a seductive idea, which Bolloré and Bonnassies spend a painstaking 500 pages trying to support.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
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That's really possible, to be, really shiny and seductive in that.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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