as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract
a captivating performance by the young singing sensation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Entrepreneur Matt Schlicht founded Moltbook, a platform where AI agents could speak with each other without human input, and the results were both captivating and terrifying as agents chatted about everything from productivity to the nature of their existence.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
But, not least, the hundreds of pep band members who support their teams with their music, voices and enthusiasm and realize their own dreams of participating in this captivating event.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Entrepreneur Matt Schlicht founded Moltbook, a platform where AI agents could speak with each other without human input, and the results were both captivating and terrifying as agents chatted about everything from productivity to the nature of their existence.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Storytelling Potential Storytelling will be key in captivating customers who are ever-more well-informed.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Even the most skeptical viewer may be susceptible to the distractions of a particularly charismatic or chatty illusionist, right?—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Few cops are so charismatic and horrific as Asbæk’s character.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
Most regions in the country are brimming with high-end hotels and charming bed and breakfasts, but staying at an Airbnb is a very Parent Trap move that gives you a closer connection to the area.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2026
-
As charming as this set of tracks is, why release them now?—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a seductive idea, which Bolloré and Bonnassies spend a painstaking 500 pages trying to support.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
-
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 4 Apr. 2026.
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