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 By attracting top talent and showcasing the best of global cinema, CIFF aims to position Croatia as a premier destination for culture and the arts. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 3 June 2025 The latter regularly attracts well over 20,000 participants. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 June 2025 For more than a decade, Combs’s legendary White Parties attracted a medley of stars to the Hamptons, Los Angeles, and Saint-Tropez. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025 Most composting pros suggest not putting meat and dairy in composters due to their smelly nature and tendency to attract pests. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
Verb
  • Working in recognizable horror subgenres, Byrne entices you with a familiar premise and then slowly teases apart the tropes, leaving you unsettled but also invigorated by his inventiveness.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • This wine entices with blackberry, plum, allspice and vanilla with smooth tannins and a bright acidity.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • O’Hara simplifies vocabulary, reassigns lines and excises parts that don’t interest him, but otherwise sticks to Shakespeare’s template.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Los Angeles doesn't have many draft picks to trade, and the team doesn't have many young players who may interest the Suns.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attract

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