attract

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of attract are allure, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

When is it sensible to use allure instead of attract?

While the synonyms allure and attract are close in meaning, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of attract?

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

Where would enchant be a reasonable alternative to attract?

The synonyms enchant and attract are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When might fascinate be a better fit than attract?

Although the words fascinate and attract have much in common, 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 attract To attract users on a daily basis, and not just for performances or events, the operator also envisioned a craft and artisan market and other amenities. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 Amid slowing luxury sales and declining foot traffic, Plaza 66 — Hong Kong developer Hang Lung’s flagship mall in Shanghai — is turning to popular plush toy brand Jellycat in a bid to attract shoppers beyond its core VIP clientele. Denni Hu, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025 Most of those wagers are placed on soccer, which attracts millions of bettors daily. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The production worked with a team of just five people for those scenes in a bid to not attract too much attention. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
Verb
  • There are tons of enticing cold and hot drinks.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Responding to the demand, and hoping to entice younger shoppers into their financial ecosystems, payment facilitators such as Cash App, the BNPL provider Klarna, the fintech bank Chime, and even American Express have recently launched their own debit cards.
    Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Programs like these give students the ability to pursue their passions and learn more about careers that interest them, which is 16-year-old Karina Monter's goal.
    Peyton Robinson, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This promo will also work the same way for any MLB games that interest you tonight.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attract

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