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
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026
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
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 June 2026
The team anticipating it would occupy our summer baseball fascination is captivating for all the wrong reasons.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
The yearslong project to continue circulating pristine footage and audio of anything pertaining to the Beatles is one of the most captivating campaigns like it this side of Taylor Swift’s meticulous rerecordings of herself.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026
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
Verb
Whether captivating viewers with his effortless charm or displaying an emotional depth that belies his humorous quips, London Brown has carved out a space as both a dramatic force and an undeniable comedic standout.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 June 2026
The team anticipating it would occupy our summer baseball fascination is captivating for all the wrong reasons.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
-
The idea of waking up beside a beach or beneath a mountain is understandably appealing, but visitors should be careful not to confuse freedom with entitlement.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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Interior designers highlight common mistakes that can make a living room appear less appealing.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
20 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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The eldest son of the late Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley is a charismatic performer and an accomplished singer, songwriter and band leader.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2026
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They were led by Tsietsi Mashinini, a charismatic high schooler.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Obviously, Donnie being over there was enticing to me.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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For American diners of diverse backgrounds, chop suey struck an enticing balance between novelty and decipherability, which propelled it to national popularity even as the US government moved to exclude Chinese laborers from entering the country in 1882.—
Ashley Rose Young,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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There were multiple offers and the property went under contract in about a month, a indicator that downtown apartment conversion projects in the last decade are attractive to investors who see occupancies remaining strong.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
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Here’s how the new numbers make a transaction a lot more attractive for Musk and his fellow SpaceX shareholders, at least in theory.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
20 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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But fewer focus expressly on overall Cuban coffee identity like Buena Gente, the charming Decatur shop whose casual walk-up counter brings to mind the quick-window-service ventanitas of Miami and Havana.—
Christopher Hassiotis,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
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What to do nearby The properties are located on the best slice of beachfront real estate in Providenciales, consisting of charming, bright pink parasails and loungers, plentiful white-sand beaches and turquoise water, and direct access to shops and restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The copy was just as seductive.—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
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Combining the property’s rustic, midwestern roots with a calm, seductive feel was the goal, Thompson says.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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