as in charmed
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as in fascinated
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 captivated
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
Soon, DiRusso had a devoted, captivated audience built almost entirely online who saw her music as a joyous and off-kilter mirror to their own lives.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
He and his sister Hannah were captivated by Apolo Ohno’s short-track skills during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and his parents gave them the go to try to pursue the sport.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivated
Adjective
Newspapers seized on the phrase as readers became captivated by the mystery.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
Soon, DiRusso had a devoted, captivated audience built almost entirely online who saw her music as a joyous and off-kilter mirror to their own lives.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
The monks captivated much of the country and even world, drawing throngs of supporters in cities from across the trek with their simple message of peace, compassion and unity.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
He and his sister Hannah were captivated by Apolo Ohno’s short-track skills during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and his parents gave them the go to try to pursue the sport.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivated
Adjective
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In Uptown Girls, Molly (Murphy) lives a charmed life as the daughter of a deceased rockstar who left her everything, until her greedy wealth manager skips town with all her money.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In the process, what long seemed like an angel on their shoulder — the charmed Chiefs — morphed into their nemesis.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That classic capitalist disconnect — the alienation of the worker from their labor — fascinated him, and gave him the confidence that his premise would have universal resonance.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
-
This is Taymor’s first production to embark on a national tour, and she’s been fascinated by the range of audience responses.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For the Marc Jacobs show, which is always an NYFW standout, Fox channeled an enchanted doll come to life with a head full of thick, glossy, bouncy curls and lavender-gray makeup to mimic the color of her sheer catsuit and satin bra top.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
10 Feb. 2026
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There are a ton of family-friendly activities in the village, including sledding, tubing, an enchanted forest, and an ice rink.—
Brent Rose,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Employers have long offered housing assistance, particularly to higher-status workers or those who are being enticed to relocate to expensive areas.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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While the Super Bowl ad is for Cadillac F1, Apple is poised to be just as big a beneficiary, if viewers are enticed to check it out.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Pictures of birthday cakes, hospital visits, church functions, and target practice sessions sit beside snaps of a levitating water can, a flying briefcase, or an entranced friend.—
Shannon Taggart,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Here, the joyous and the boisterous contrast the dark and insidious, allowing viewers to both be delighted by colorful street scenes and celebrations while the rot of fear creeps in, as the details surrounding our main character (Wagner Moura) and his predicament are revealed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
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Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.—
Sara Krolewski,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The kind of public living room, knitted into the social fabric of Powell’s native Dublin, that so bewitched Mester during their transatlantic courtship.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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Surprise, surprise: judging by the bewitched look on her face, Zelma is no more immune to the allure of Anthony Ramos than any of us.—
Stacia Brown,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivated. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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