as in fascinates
to attract or delight as if by magic
the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks
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Recent Examples of captivates
Along with the astonishing views of the Uinta Mountains, the Aspen Camp neighborhood inside the gates of the exclusive Promontory community captivates with a collection of ultramodern homes designed to immerse residents in Park City’s rugged beauty.
—
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Vetiver, musk, and papyrus yield a curious aroma that captivates strangers, so much so that a few have even stopped me to inquire about it.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Football’s coaching carousel is often a wild ride, as college and pro sideline turnover captivates fan bases.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
His athleticism captivates even the untrained eye, as if he were engineered to fly in skates.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Her regal stoicism along with her kind, empathetic, reassuring demeanor is the perfect mix that captivates Royal fans globally.
—Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Its rich blend captivates the senses and leaves a lasting impression.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Traveling to the Real Unreal Universe in Grapevine, this family-friendly multiverse captivates guests with lush tapestries and imaginary swamp-suburban realms.
—Malik Peay, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Simtec's unparalleled expertise perfectly complements our mission to create an entertainment experience that pushes boundaries and captivates ride-goers worldwide.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Vetiver, musk, and papyrus yield a curious aroma that captivates strangers, so much so that a few have even stopped me to inquire about it.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Football’s coaching carousel is often a wild ride, as college and pro sideline turnover captivates fan bases.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
His athleticism captivates even the untrained eye, as if he were engineered to fly in skates.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Her regal stoicism along with her kind, empathetic, reassuring demeanor is the perfect mix that captivates Royal fans globally.
—Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Its rich blend captivates the senses and leaves a lasting impression.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Traveling to the Real Unreal Universe in Grapevine, this family-friendly multiverse captivates guests with lush tapestries and imaginary swamp-suburban realms.
—Malik Peay, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Simtec's unparalleled expertise perfectly complements our mission to create an entertainment experience that pushes boundaries and captivates ride-goers worldwide.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivates
Verb
-
How golfers rely on — and leverage — technology fascinates Skenes, from the numbers culled relative to swing speed and ball flight to how their bodies must be in sync to generate so much club speed.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
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What fascinates me as a writer is what is sometimes left out of the historical record, what gets tucked away in odd places.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While Summer most likely has tonnes of toys and a dog bed, there’s something about cardboard boxes that entices pets.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Ella has shades of Holly Hunter's intense, workaholic producer Jane from Brooks' 1987 masterpiece Broadcast News, the smartest person in any room who both exhausts and enchants everyone around her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
12 Dec. 2025
-
By bringing these three gestures together, Killam fashions a method that repairs, strengthens, and re-enchants the invisible social fabric that sustains us.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Visionary filmmaker Elizabeth Chomko has crafted a gorgeous love story, one that both fills the heart and delights the senses.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivates. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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