as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic
the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivate
Hull was captivated by the story's powerful premise of a father's ultimate sacrifice.
—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Most recently, his stunning lead performance in Project Hail Mary captivated audiences around the world, proving his extraordinary ability to carry a film with grace, wit, and profound emotional power.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Another weekend of superb film programming, captivating panels, John Waters appearances, and even a clambake is in the books for the annual Provincetown International Film Festival.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
An inspiring day filled with delicious food, captivating live entertainment, special guests, and the warmth of community spirit.
—
Anna Alejo,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Most recently, his stunning lead performance in Project Hail Mary captivated audiences around the world, proving his extraordinary ability to carry a film with grace, wit, and profound emotional power.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Another weekend of superb film programming, captivating panels, John Waters appearances, and even a clambake is in the books for the annual Provincetown International Film Festival.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
An inspiring day filled with delicious food, captivating live entertainment, special guests, and the warmth of community spirit.
—
Anna Alejo,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
Verb
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Part of what fascinated me about their presentation was not only their refusal to kowtow to male desire, which for decades had a stranglehold on rock aesthetics, but a concomitant disavowal of commercialism.
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Princess Kate, 44, previously revealed that all of her children are fascinated by planes and other aircraft.
Verb
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Obviously, Donnie being over there was enticing to me.
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For American diners of diverse backgrounds, chop suey struck an enticing balance between novelty and decipherability, which propelled it to national popularity even as the US government moved to exclude Chinese laborers from entering the country in 1882.
Verb
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After Scotland’s beer-guzzling fans charmed locals in Boston, the Tartan Army’s party has decamped to the heat of Miami for a clash with five-time champion Brazil.
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The five-time champion may have charmed the world over the decades, but now finds itself in a bit of a dry spell, thirsty for a sixth victory.
Verb
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Adding secondary maturations into the bourbon lineup is likely going to divide longtime Four Roses fans, delighting some and infuriating others.
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That is probably what surprised, and delighted, me the most.
Verb
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One class in, and Hannah is thoroughly seduced both by Melanie’s flattery and by her therapyspeak approach to acting, with its talk of truth-telling and connecting to one’s body.
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Young women being preyed upon and seduced by rapacious Hollywood producers, stars and studio heads is a tired cliché, but like all clichés, it is based on reality.
Cite this Entry
“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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