captivation

noun

Definition of captivationnext
as in appeal
the power of irresistible attraction by some mysterious method of captivation, the therapist is able to evoke a response from even the shiest of children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 captivation Ultimately, Fonda opened up to dating Turner, and their relationship became a point of captivation for the media, as the liberal Hollywood star and the conservative, audacious businessman appeared to be total opposites. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 Wembanyama’s captivation with the intricacies of space travel was apparent. — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivation
  1. appeal
  2. attractiveness
  3. fascination
  4. charm
  5. attraction
  6. seductiveness
  7. sweetness
Noun
  • An appeal, on the other hand, can only consider evidence that’s already in the record and is typically filed when a defendant is questioning a judge’s decision.
    — Alex Brizee July 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
  • At the same time, Ghana and other African nations have made more deliberate appeals to descendants of the diaspora through citizenship, residency, tourism and investment initiatives.
    — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • The list compiled 300 cities of varying sizes across 22 factors of market attractiveness, affordability and quality of life.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • The same actions that increase a business’s attractiveness to buyers also improve efficiency, strengthen profitability, reduce risk and create more freedom for the owner today.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of attractiveness
Noun
  • That interest grew into a deeper fascination with Japanese history and culture.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • By rejecting the myth of beginning again and the idea that endings are inherently meaningful, Luiselli highlights the fascination of the middle.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of fascination
Noun
  • Nestled at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth captures the Old World charm of a European alpine village with its wooden Bavarian architecture, German food like brats and schnitzel, and even its own Oktoberfest.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Dix was a baseball prodigy too cocky and flashy for his own good who now coasts through life on his long-ago heroics coupled with charm and an undeserved diet of luck.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of charm
Noun
  • The Sun in your sign opposes Pluto in your 7th House of Partnership, bringing intensity to agreements, attraction, conflict, and the way others respond to your confidence.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
  • As big of an attraction as the course is at Kukui’ula, sustainability is front-and-center around the 1,010-acre property.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of attraction
Noun
  • That’s the seductiveness of the Reflecting Pool.
    — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026
  • Their easy, hedonic seductiveness emerges, too, via Yuskavage’s lush, rounded, fleshy brushstrokes (a different sort of stroke material, for the patriarchy or for anyone else), which render everything from boobs to bellies to nipples smooth and swollen, like a succulent fruit fixing to burst.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
Definition of seductiveness
Noun
  • Grilling brings out the sweetness in cherry tomatoes, which pair beautifully with the smoky flavor of planked salmon.
    — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 25 July 2026
  • According to Bulleit, ’87 opens with aromas of caramel and brown sugar followed by baking spices and oak, finishing with a combination of sweetness and rye spice.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of sweetness

Browse Nearby Words

captivating
captivation
captivator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Captivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivation. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All