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

Relevance

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
This one-and-done approach is why several hotels have embraced the style, transforming a lackluster temporary stay into a captivating design moment, with the addition of one particular element. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026 Its permanent exhibit on the Tequesta, centered around the Miami Circle, is captivating, but the museum can show only a miniscule fraction of its holdings. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Verb
This Shady Canyon Golf Club is one of Orange County‘s most exclusive enclaves with captivating rock formations and lush fairways spread across 300 acres in a secluded canyon setting. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 June 2026 The big and bright WUXGA (1,920-by-1,200) display is immediately captivating, with good color quality and contrast. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 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
  • The Heat has been in a holding pattern of sorts the past two days, waiting to see if an appealing free agent takes a minimum deal or an appealing player under contract shakes free.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • To me, a road trip is still one of the most appealing ways of exploring the USA.
    — Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 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
  • With bright feathers that look painted on, colorful birds are typically pretty and charismatic poster species for conservation.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
  • In 2025's Marty Supreme, the New York native took on the role of the charismatic hustler Marty Mauser.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of charismatic
Verb
  • The doe-eyed spa manager, Anupam Banerjee, has come up with a wide range of enticing holistic treatments, from scrubs, massages, and facials; to biohacking PEMF body mats and LED masks; to Ayurvedic therapies; to breath work and meditation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026
  • The scrutiny belies the fact that the Reflecting Pool has always been enticing to visitors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
Definition of enticing
Adjective
  • On paper, Minnesota seems like an attractive destination for the 41-year-old.
    — Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • But Minetree cannot fix the inherent brokenness of a series determined to make its conventionally attractive, straight, rich white protagonist the most discriminated against kid in the cafeteria.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of attractive
Verb
  • The rolling meadows, forests, and enchanting Monet gardens form an artistic canvas that complements the hotel’s interiors.
    — Veronica M. Stoddart, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
  • The rookie showman is proving his mettle as part of the Caballero Circus, a five-generation family of performers, by enchanting audiences with his charismatic stage presence and sharp coordination.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Definition of enchanting
Adjective
  • Places like the Dolomites in Italy are especially well suited to private active travel, with charming lodges too small for large tour groups.
    — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Apparently, mom Donna was meant to go on a date with another guy when Ed saw her, hit her with a not-so-cool-yet-charming pickup line, scooped her and the rest was history.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of charming
Adjective
  • Her styling was chic, often minimal, deceptively simple, always elegant and seductive to the eye.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
  • In an act of pure showmanship, Bolton has placed mannequins clothed in fleshlike skintight garments in a tall glass vitrine visible to museumgoers heading toward the medieval wing—a seductive preview that may help lure them away from Arms and Armor.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of seductive

Browse Nearby Words

captivates
captivating
captivation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on captivating

Nglish: Translation of captivating for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All