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
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
It's named after Gilded Age heiress Arabella Duval Huntington; her very captivating (and at times spicy) life is playfully chronicled in murals on the bar walls.
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Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
An inspiring day filled with delicious food, captivating live entertainment, special guests, and the warmth of community spirit.
—
Anna Alejo,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
His latest, Rose of Nevada — which stars two name actors, Callum Turner and George MacKay, and opens in New York today after doing the festival rounds — has the beguiling simplicity of a fable and the captivating textures of a dream.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
It's named after Gilded Age heiress Arabella Duval Huntington; her very captivating (and at times spicy) life is playfully chronicled in murals on the bar walls.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
Verb
Another weekend of superb film programming, captivating panels, John Waters appearances, and even a clambake is in the books for the annual Provincetown International Film Festival.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
An inspiring day filled with delicious food, captivating live entertainment, special guests, and the warmth of community spirit.
—
Anna Alejo,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
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This condominium also has another appealing feature.
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Rushing in and risking a possible violation is not an appealing gamble.
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.
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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.
Adjective
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Were any of those characters as charismatic or interesting as minor figures from Game of Thrones, such as Gendry, Tormund or Olenna?
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Perhaps its most red card-worthy offense was relegating Kuno Becker’s charismatic lead — the series’ only mainstay — to bit part, focusing instead on two new England internationals without an ounce of personality.
Verb
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The doe-eyed spa manager, Anupam Banerjee, has come up with a wide range of enticing holistic treatments, from scrubs, massages, and facials; to biohacking PEMF body mats and LED masks; to Ayurvedic therapies; to breath work and meditation.
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The scrutiny belies the fact that the Reflecting Pool has always been enticing to visitors.
Adjective
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On paper, Minnesota seems like an attractive destination for the 41-year-old.
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But Minetree cannot fix the inherent brokenness of a series determined to make its conventionally attractive, straight, rich white protagonist the most discriminated against kid in the cafeteria.
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.
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That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.
Adjective
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Places like the Dolomites in Italy are especially well suited to private active travel, with charming lodges too small for large tour groups.
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Apparently, mom Donna was meant to go on a date with another guy when Ed saw her, hit her with a not-so-cool-yet-charming pickup line, scooped her and the rest was history.
Adjective
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In an act of pure showmanship, Bolton has placed mannequins clothed in fleshlike skintight garments in a tall glass vitrine visible to museumgoers heading toward the medieval wing—a seductive preview that may help lure them away from Arms and Armor.
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For a destination so beloved for its beachfront exploits, a city center hotel that’s a car ride away from the sand may not seem immediately seductive.
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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