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 Sixty-three years later, the images still captivate. Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025 Svetlana Evgrafova/Getty Images The Unbelievable Mix The comments section was filled with people trying to guess the dog's breed and others who were simply captivated by her face. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 Huma Sulaiman Design’s captivating spaces are a study in contrasts—dark and light, past and present, crisp lines and soft curves. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025 The study’s analysis of social and traditional media revealed that popular cultural events and celebrity influence are powerful at captivating the public and enhancing their grasp of scientific concepts. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
Verb
  • But the idea has always fascinated him.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • So that image has always fascinated me.
    Maria Reva September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There are tons of enticing cold and hot drinks.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Responding to the demand, and hoping to entice younger shoppers into their financial ecosystems, payment facilitators such as Cash App, the BNPL provider Klarna, the fintech bank Chime, and even American Express have recently launched their own debit cards.
    Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, Labyrinth has since become a beloved cult favorite, continuing to enchant and delight viewers.
    Logan Karlie September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Then the picture begins to blur before coming back into clear focus to reveal Novak, still enchanting at 92, standing in a room filled with her paintings.
    Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The post quickly gained attention on the platform, drawing laughter from viewers charmed by the pet's adventurous spirit and unfazed attitude.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • López Lizano spoke with a kind of halting formality, which charmed her.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • It’s left supporters on Capitol Hill delighted, frustrated, or wondering what’s next.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Monteverde’s cloud forest is a haven for nature lovers, with canopy walks and wildlife encounters that will delight young and old alike.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The dramatic irony, of course, is that Julia did seduce Lovat and is now trying to take advantage of a precedent set by Davina with her own son, but Julia still ends up appealing to Davina’s better angels.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Either way, the intention is to transport, and to seduce, as with fine music.
    Douglas Unger August 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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