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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
But the icon, who was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, had her own captivating story offscreen, which has long been immortalized in movies, television shows and books.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
This is not the first time Stephen has complimented his captivating wife.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
The neighborhood Bairro Alto Hotel sits on the boundary of two of Lisbon’s most captivating districts, Chiado and Bairro Alto, with their steeply, sloping cobblestone streets and intriguing nooks and crannies, so you’ll never be stuck for something to see, a place to eat, or a boutique to browse.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
But the icon, who was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, had her own captivating story offscreen, which has long been immortalized in movies, television shows and books.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Verb
Employing a fictional slasher movie of yesteryear as the portal into a conversation about self and desire, this is heady, strange stuff, frustrating at times but captivating in both its confusion and its honesty.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
This is not the first time Stephen has complimented his captivating wife.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
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Instead the result is very wearable, playful, fantastic apparel, pieces built with strength to them that is incredibly appealing.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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As luxury linen has moved into the mainstream to become one of the softest bedding options, a major bonus is that a far more appealing range of price points and color options are now dominating the market.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
6 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Adjective
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Ryan Fitzpatrick had the same kind of impact on that dismal 2019 Dolphins team, which might not have won any of its five games that season without the charismatic quarterback, who had a knack for uniting and inspiring people.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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Inspired by Michael Pollan’s books, Angus stepped out of his London stockbroker brogues and into the role of charismatic, barefoot ‘Farmer Angus’; a passionate espouser of biodynamic farming principles, destined to become a household name.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
Verb
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But this disjointed medley, performed by Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty, offered little context for what is meant to be exciting or enticing about the show.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
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That does sound enticing for a brand that became the first Chinese carmaker to exceed 1 million sales in Europe.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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But that could change soon as the Bank of Japan has been hiking rates while hotter inflation has lifted Japanese government bond yields, which are now looking more attractive and emerging as an alternative to Treasury bonds.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
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Bank of America named a host of stocks that the firm said are too attractive to ignore.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
6 June 2026
Verb
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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
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That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The festive, charming and energetic North American tour of the Broadway production is packed with as much nostalgia as new characters that are doppelgangers for the original series’ heroes and villains, and who often challenge our assumptions about their infamous families.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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Guest says season two will reckon with Simon and Trevor’s legal standing without abandoning their charming dynamic as actors-in-arms.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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But even that speculative scheme showed how sophisticated PAU could be in adapting an assortment of seductive pasts.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
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There’s a seductive delusion to FatFIRE—one that promises the world can be opted out of, if not mastered.—
Joshua Rivera,
Vanity Fair,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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