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 Fair pushes city for lower rent The art fair attracted around 80,000 visitors and generated approximately $570 million across Miami-Dade last year, Berthier said. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 As a result, builders are leaning more heavily on incentives to attract new buyers, including mortgage rate buydowns that can help lower monthly payments, Pareja said. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Takahashi said the goal for the food hall and activity center is to become an all-day destination that will attract locals as well as day trippers from Los Angeles and the Central Coast. — Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Five years of community investment Despite attracting hundreds of attendees, Uplift remains largely a grassroots undertaking. — Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
Verb
  • But while Cartman and Ike are in Sephora, they get enticed into going into the backrooms with an employee, which look straight out of Kane Parsons’ horror film.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Some blame the content for not being enticing enough, while others contend that the programs could be promoted better on Netflix.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The serious question of, frankly, human survival did not seem to interest them at all.
    — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Cranor said a person’s risk depends on how often they are targeted, their security habits, their ability to recognize suspicious messages, and whether the lure really interests them.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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