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
Sure, there are several social butterflies across the zodiac—Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius, to name a few—but Geminis are famous for their magnetic eccentricity which captivates just about anyone in their orbit.
—
Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 21 May 2026
But this tiny riverfront town—just over an hour's drive from both New York City and Philadelphia—is the kind of place that captivates.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Fascism, then and now, is masterful at propagating and reinforcing its ideas through an aesthetic that captivates a large number of people.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
One of the first big names to sign with Unwell was Earle, who, according to Cooper at the time, has a unique presence that captivates audiences.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
According to Abbeville Mayor Jimmy Money, the charm of this blocks-long time capsule captivates visitors year-round.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
No flower captivates our attention quite like columbine (Aquilegia).
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
What happens when the spectacle of war no longer captivates the public?
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Thats right, the very first episode of the quiz show that still captivates America aired back on March 30, 1964, hosted then by Art Fleming.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 21 May 2026
But this tiny riverfront town—just over an hour's drive from both New York City and Philadelphia—is the kind of place that captivates.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Fascism, then and now, is masterful at propagating and reinforcing its ideas through an aesthetic that captivates a large number of people.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
One of the first big names to sign with Unwell was Earle, who, according to Cooper at the time, has a unique presence that captivates audiences.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
According to Abbeville Mayor Jimmy Money, the charm of this blocks-long time capsule captivates visitors year-round.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
No flower captivates our attention quite like columbine (Aquilegia).
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
What happens when the spectacle of war no longer captivates the public?
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Thats right, the very first episode of the quiz show that still captivates America aired back on March 30, 1964, hosted then by Art Fleming.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivates
Verb
-
There is something magical about a firefly that fascinates young and old alike.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
-
At the moment, Philadelphia fascinates me most, a Play-In team that has enough talent to make a run to the finals.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
In a European women’s football ecosystem that still relies predominantly on the beneficence of men’s football, Kang’s bullishness to put her money where her mouth is naturally entices.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
This fast-growing shrub entices pollinators and birds and is deer and rabbit resistent.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
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.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
-
Whether the product delivers on—and delights—expectations.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Captivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivates. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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