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captivating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ How to pronounce captivating (audio)
Definition of captivatingnext
as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract a captivating performance by the young singing sensation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

captivating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of captivate
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 captivating
Adjective
Hers was a captivating return, combining the innate theatricality of her poise with a bold, sophisticated style steeped in historical references to haute couture. — Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026 Where the story goes from there should be left for audiences to discover on their own, but thanks to Mirren’s captivating and playful performance as Highsmith, A Talent For Murder becomes an unexpected way to honor her legacy. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Massachusetts mother at the center of an ongoing murder trial for the killings of her three children is captivating the internet and social media. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 The 17-year-old’s performance in Aston Villa’s 2-1 Super Cup defeat against Paris Saint-Germain was captivating for several reasons. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
  1. appealing
  2. fascinating
  3. charismatic
  4. enticing
  5. attractive
  6. enchanting
  7. charming
  8. seductive
Adjective
  • And, fortuitously for would-be sponsors, something happened in tennis that made these arrangements even more appealing.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Amy and Rosie are intensely appealing women, yet their lives with men have been a washout.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of appealing
Verb
  • Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.
    — Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2025
Definition of fascinating
Adjective
  • Rarely, if ever, has international soccer been blessed with a deeper, more talented and charismatic group of young stars.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Moore’s Mona finds herself in the thrall of a charismatic community theater director played, in a delightful bit of typecasting, by Paul Giamatti.
    — John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Verb
  • After Gerald’s Game (2017), Doctor Sleep (2019), and The Life of Chuck (2024) — and with The Mist on the way — there’s something enticing about Flanagan taking his cumulative knowledge of the author’s lexicon to revisit King’s very first novel.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Anything that retains moisture is enticing to springtails, as well as other critters such as silverfish, book lice, and millepedes.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of enticing
Adjective
  • The 10-year Treasury yield at nearly two-decade highs above 5% starts to look like a pretty attractive risk-free return.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • New London officials are eagerly endorsing Spinnaker Real Estate Partners’ proposal as a way to draw some of the thousands of new employees being hired by nearby Electric Boat while recapturing a stretch of attractive waterfront at the marina.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of attractive
Verb
  • Even the Owens family’s enchanting New England home, which the internet has spent nearly three decades foaming at the mouth over, is barely seen, as much of the film takes place overseas.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Practical Magic 2 has Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman enchanting a new generation of fans, but not everyone from the original cast returned for the sequel.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of enchanting
Adjective
  • In its reporting, Southern Living magazine praised the fan-favorite destination for its charming downtown and proximity to scenic views.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The time-bending romance, led by the charming Louis Garrel, is based on Hungry Heart, a book of shorts by Eshkol Nevo.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of charming
Adjective
  • There is a seductive argument for a more systematic approach in the interests of greater consistency, but the issue rarely arises and gets lost among more pressing matters.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Digital analytics can create a seductive illusion of precision.
    — Sindhu Bhaskar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of seductive

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captivates
captivating
captivation
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Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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