Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of captivate are allure, attract, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," 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

When can allure be used instead of captivate?

In some situations, the words allure and captivate are roughly equivalent. However, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When could attract be used to replace captivate?

The meanings of attract and captivate largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

When would enchant be a good substitute for captivate?

While in some cases nearly identical to captivate, 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 captivate?

While the synonyms fascinate and captivate are close in meaning, 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 captivate While her style and love of red lipstick have always captivated me, her love of solo traveling has been even more inspiring. Jessica Fields, Essence, 8 May 2025 Iona Brannon is a travel writer captivated by the connection between physical space and the sense of belonging. Iona Brannon, AFAR Media, 6 May 2025 Crow-Armstrong, 23, is now one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season, playing electrifying defense in center field, using his dynamic blend of power and speed to serve as an offensive igniter, captivating fans with his charismatic personality… and doing it all for the Chicago Cubs. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Rarely has a 15th-place finish captivated the golf world more than Block's miracle run in the 2023 PGA Championship. Gerrit Ritt, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
Verb
  • The concept fascinated me—creating designs and selling custom products without needing to manage inventory.
    Sarim Nadeem, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • Hobbyist diver Dom Robinson has spent the past three decades exploring shipwrecks, which have fascinated him since childhood.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Will the new level of EV functionality even entice GM to end the ban of CarPlay in electrics?
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Google and eBay are ramping up technology to help brands and sellers entice consumers.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Wolfgang Petersen's poignant take on The NeverEnding Story might slightly lack the depth and sophistication of its source material — Michael Ende's expansive fantasy novel — but the result is still enchanting escapism, with effects and tricks that hold up pretty well.
    Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 10 May 2025
  • This enchanting Moroccan city is ready for its close-up.
    Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Curry was charmed by Edwards’ inner Antness, that combination of swagger and soul that has All-NBA players like Randle, Towns and Gobert enthusiastically giving in to his gravitational pull.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • Here’s a two-in-one shelf and coat rack that oozes charm thanks to the playful scalloped detail outlining each hook.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Previous videos showing young kids reacting to dads getting new haircuts, and one of a wife responding with shock to her husband shaving, have delighted the internet before.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
  • And two and a half centuries later, Jane’s stories continue to delight readers and inspire creators like Hornby and Langan.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • The thriller tells the story of a dental hygienist who is seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 9 May 2025
  • Based on a script by Landes Echavarría and Duke Merriman, the story tells of a dental hygienist seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on captivate

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