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
Norway’s Erling Haaland and Cape Verde’s Vozinha were captivating while Egypt and Canada both won World Cup games for the first time, advancing to the round of 16. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 This captivating villain origin story brims with female empowerment. — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Verb
Frying up eggs is a grandma trick for captivating young audiences, but the older children might push their luck with other foods. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 July 2026 With The Broad’s captivating architecture and various exhibits, visitors can easily lose several hours. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 15 July 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
  • If their creations are deemed visually appealing, the males win the ultimate prize — mating privileges.
    — Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2026
  • To make Chinese legal institutions more appealing, Beijing would need to grant them genuine autonomy rather than merely expecting professionalism in routine cases.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 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
  • Haaland was one of the top scorers and most charismatic players at the World Cup held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and his imposing stature and goofy sense of humor sparked a wave of creative viral videos and memes.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The song follows a man trying to impress and attract a woman, using Jagger’s famously charismatic stage presence as a metaphor for confidence, swagger and romantic appeal.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Verb
  • Fall fashion tends to kickstart our lust for the new season as brands start to launch enticing pre-fall collections.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, the Rays used a less-enticing package to get Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of enticing
Adjective
  • Arsenal would also listen to attractive offers for Gabriel Martinelli or Ethan Nwaneri, but appropriate bids have not materialised.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Yet a full 20 years after Obama was elected on a promise to break free of Bush’s legacy, policymakers keep getting sucked into the region by an incentive structure that makes the use of force attractive and minimizes its short-term costs.
    — Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 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
  • At first, Robert’s drunken moves on the dance floor are charming, even if Thom is less than impressed by the spectacle.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Blending documentary and fictional elements, directors Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw pay homage to the remarkable and charming people whose zest for life shapes and preserves this unique region and its centuries-old culture.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of charming
Adjective
  • Margaretha Zelle MacLeod’s stage name came to signify the epitome of the seductive female spy after she was executed by the French in 1917.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The fragrance opens with ripe fig and bergamot, while brown sugar, licorice, and vetiver lend a dark, seductive edge.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of captivating for Spanish Speakers

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