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
Oakley and Reid lean so heavily into Elinor and Marianne’s crushing disappointments and the forces holding them back in a period of vast gender inequity, that their sorrows shove the characters’ more captivating qualities to the side. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026 The film’s cast is mostly made up of tribal non-actors, but Anghlong Konyak is its captivating center, as a man whose stubbornness against change sits alongside a lingering grief over his fading way of life. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
This time the central crime revolves around a severed finger that is sent to the high school, and a mysterious — potentially nefarious — new teacher captivating their children. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 Get the latest news, exclusive reveals, announcements, and behind-the-scenes insight into the stories and characters captivating readers across the Absolute line. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 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
  • In the eyes of powerful players such as Europe and the United States, Brazil was an appealing place for investment and a growing force in multilateral diplomacy.
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Any growth initiatives had to be funded through partners’ capital – hardly an appealing prospect for those same partners – which resulted in a long period of low growth into new business lines.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of appealing
Verb
  • The trailer promises fascinating new characters, like one man who lives on a sailboat for most of the year.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of fascinating
Adjective
  • The warm and charismatic straight-shooter, who has clocked 20 years in the biz, has no qualms with exposing the inner workings of what can be a highly secretive industry.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
  • He was admired by some as a charismatic statesman who put Italy on the world stage but reviled by others as a populist who used political power for personal gain.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Verb
  • The package from Meta was enticing enough for Desai to give up his pay package and severance at MongoDB.
    — Samantha Subin,Chris Eudaily, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • After Gerald’s Game (2017), Doctor Sleep (2019), and The Life of Chuck (2024) — and with The Mist on the way — there’s something enticing about Flanagan taking his cumulative knowledge of the author’s lexicon to revisit King’s very first novel.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of enticing
Adjective
  • The radiant setting is especially attractive to affluent couples from across Asia as well as the US, Australia, and Europe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • McMahon also urged schools to introduce hands-on learning much earlier, including virtual welding and electronics programs that can make technical work feel tangible and attractive to younger students.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of attractive
Verb
  • Even the Owens family’s enchanting New England home, which the internet has spent nearly three decades foaming at the mouth over, is barely seen, as much of the film takes place overseas.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of enchanting
Adjective
  • The Sprocket is a charming and efficient pocket-sized printer that uses ZINK zero-ink technology to output your smartphone photos, Polaroid-style, on special paper.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Café Nizza is a charming spot in Södermalm with impeccably unfussy dishes and fun bottles.
    — Riza Cruz, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of charming
Adjective
  • The large works seem to be on the verge of becoming ghostly, bleached by the same relentless Florida sunlight that makes Miami Beach so visually seductive.
    — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • As Batiba, Slate’s borderline baby voice walks a nimble line between seductive and menacing, but Manny Jacinto is the real scene-stealer as a literal baby demon.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of seductive

Browse Nearby Words

captivates
captivating
captivation
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Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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