attract

Definition of attractnext

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 The durable material is known to attract sea life to areas that are largely void of fish, creating a destination for fishing boats. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026 By grafting different polymer chains onto polyolefins, scientists can introduce chemical functionalities that are missing in conventional plastics, including water-attracting groups, acids, bases, or highly specific reactive chemical groups. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026 Here are six things that could be attracting mice to your home this autumn. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 5 Nov. 2026 To help generate interest in Wiel’s program, North Carolina the previous year and Kansas in 1999 agreed to play at the Murphy Center, which typically attracted crowds of only about 3,000. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
Verb
  • Once the victim engages in a back-and-forth, a supervisor experienced in emotional manipulation takes over to build a relationship and entice the victim to hand over their money.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Only a handful of new acts a year develop with the profile and following to entice that kind of spending on physical product from their fans, but there’s no shortage of such acts to be found in the past.
    — Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • What interests me most is the possibility of giving doctors another set of highly capable eyes.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Follow what interests you without needing to come home with a grand revelation.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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