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 Wevr is partnering with Malta Enterprise, Gaming Malta and the Malta Film Commission to attract an international pool of artists, designers and developers. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025 The flowers attract a host of pollinators and the small seeds that follow are eaten by songbirds. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, the military strikes have attracted scrutiny from both sides of the aisle as questions swirl about their legality. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Their efforts have attracted more than 2,000 people in Florida alone and spurred new vigils across the state protesting similar detention sites, according to the vigil’s organizers. Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
Verb
  • That's when the companies start trying to entice business customers onto their platform by being really good to them - at the expense of their users.
    NPR, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But an uninspired and shallow story – which includes a rape scene demanded by the studio – hampers his attempts to entice us with a chilling and menacing tone.
    Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This is a question that interests Maggie Perkins, a corporate trainer at the company who travels the country to instruct employees in its ways.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • With a limited production of only 200 pairs, each boot features a unique production number sure to interest Harley fans.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attract

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