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
Along with a captivating Portuguese tile mural, the kitchen overlooks the lake and features a sunlit breakfast area, while a casual sitting room has a stone fireplace and coffered ceiling. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026 Now, Melton has become a key member of the Detroit Tigers’ present and a captivating part of their future. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 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
  • 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
  • At the heart of this imbroglio unfolds a gallery of colorful characters, all revolving around an ultra-charismatic art dealer.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Verb
  • For consumers, the idea behind Insilico's latest drug research is enticing enough − take a new drug and reverse your biological clock a few years.
    — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Once viewed only as a source of capital, today Saudi Arabia is enticing technology companies to come and do business.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of enticing
Adjective
  • As training camp arrives, injuries have turned an attractive offseason of work into an uneasy fall.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • If so, home equity can appear like an increasingly attractive source of financial breathing room.
    — Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of attractive
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of enchanting
Adjective
  • The Fantasticks After a record 42-year run Off Broadway, this charming little musical about parents who pretend to feud to get each other’s kids to fall in love is finally hitting Broadway — with a twist.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the procedure transformed him into an unstable super-soldier — capable of being magnetically charming one moment and dangerously chilling the next.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 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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captivating
captivation
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Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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