enchant

Synonym Chooser

How is the word enchant different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of enchant are allure, attract, captivate, charm, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Where would allure be a reasonable alternative to enchant?

The synonyms allure and enchant are sometimes interchangeable, but allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When is attract a more appropriate choice than enchant?

The meanings of attract and enchant largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How do charm and captivate relate to one another, in the sense of enchant?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

In what contexts can fascinate take the place of enchant?

The words fascinate and enchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of enchant However, Labyrinth has since become a beloved cult favorite, continuing to enchant and delight viewers. Logan Karlie september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 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 Experts warn against becoming enchanted with the latest flashy tool. Carolyn Said, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 The northern lights have enchanted people for millennia, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories are both fantastic places to see it, thanks to their sparse populations, low levels of light pollution, and northerly locations. Lola Augustine Brown, AFAR Media, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant
Verb
  • Europe, with its rich past, had fascinated many of its colonial subjects.
    Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • David Martill, professor emeritus at the Institute of the Earth and Environment at the University of Portsmouth, was fascinated by the study and UV images.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This partnership is also emblematic of a broader industry trend toward revitalizing mid-tier and smaller American shipyards, which possess the agility to adapt to new types of naval platforms.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Teams have caught up on Mike McDaniel’s playcalling In the first two seasons of Dolphins coach McDaniel’s tenure as head coach the Dolphins possessed one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During Week 1, Irwin and his partner Witney Carson charmed audiences with their jive, which was both a high-energy romp and a sweet homage to the family's outdoorsman history.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
  • While the video has charmed viewers, experts remind owners that canines generally shouldn’t eat human biscuits.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Watley-Neely's first name was spelled Lemuel in online jail and court records.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
  • This poor dude is stuck taking over his father’s — a father who left when Frank was 2 — New Orleans restaurant when one of the employees puts a voodoo spell over him.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Jenna Johnson knows how to entice an audience.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
  • While those features are enticing enough for an everyday bra, this option also has a clever feature in the straps.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Pork King Good Pumpkin Pie Pork Rinds – Salty, crunchy, cinnamon-y… and utterly bewitching.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • This isn’t the first time that fan fiction turned original material has bewitched Hollywood.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Central Park has long been a magnet for street performers, but the simple synchronicity between dog and musician has delighted viewers.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • What that means is the flavors on your BBQ tray at a halal joint may delight you in unexpected ways.
    Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Quick wins or washable results no longer seduce them.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Over-the-top gestures aren't going to seduce us, but minor efforts will go a long way.
    Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.

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