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
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
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Recent Examples of captivating
Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
The Lovecraft Country and Friday Night Lights star does wild-eyed, fierce intensity in a way that is both captivating and reliable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025
Oscar-winning actors embody roles in an authentic way, captivating audiences and serving stories that transcend their selves.
—Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
Young Angels fans who lined the infield for autographs as the team jogged onto the field Sunday, may not know the thrilling, heart-racing suspense of the postseason — nor the captivating, religious-like fervor the Rally Monkey could bring.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
The Lovecraft Country and Friday Night Lights star does wild-eyed, fierce intensity in a way that is both captivating and reliable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
Verb
Few shows are as visually alluring and simultaneously captivating in their storytelling as The White Lotus.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025
Oscar-winning actors embody roles in an authentic way, captivating audiences and serving stories that transcend their selves.
—Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
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In fact, on the whole the backup quarterback market might not have been very appealing among players such as Joshua Dobbs (New England), Jacoby Brissett (Arizona) and Mac Jones (San Francisco).—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
15 July 2025
-
Regular yard maintenance can help create a yard that’s not very appealing to them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Support letters, filed by friends and family members in court, describe him as a charismatic and polite young man with righteous goals and aspirations.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 July 2025
-
Proponents say the new generation of charismatic figures could breathe new life into the party.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Nearly all bird species feed their young insects, so planting native greenery that attracts bugs can be enticing to hummingbirds.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Experts say the falling rate could thaw the largely frozen housing market by enticing buyers off the sidelines.—
Kevin Williams,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
If the team were inclined to bolster that position, Auburn’s Ike Irish and North Carolina’s Luke Stevenson would each be attractive options.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
The bulk of the lunar material falls into orbit around the more gravitationally attractive sun.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Deep in the heart of Bakewell’s cobbled town square stands The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, inside a charming 17th-century stone building, once owned by the Duke of Rutland.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Switching between her college days in 1999 and the present day, the novel tracks Cora’s pull to two men, charming Lincoln and sensitive Aaron.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The 24 rooms and suites are enchanting, but the greatest riches are found in the former vault, which once stored gold bars and furs and has now been transformed into the Simmer Down cocktail bar.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
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Clad in a black, flowy dress with chains swinging around their waist, Dua Saleh’s whispery cadence gave her an enchanting presence over the room.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Sam Amick wrote a fascinating notebook about the scene in Los Angeles, where both the Lakers and Clippers have prioritized flexibility this offseason with the future in mind.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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The contrast between ancient history and modern life was fascinating.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
While a Daiquiri is radiant, the Daisy de Santiago is seductive.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
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Moreover, Venus will clash with Mars in a seductive square on July 23, making the tension equally enticing and uncomfortable.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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