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
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Recent Examples of captivation
Wembanyama’s captivation with the intricacies of space travel was apparent.
—
Jared Weiss, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Jared Weiss, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivation
Noun
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Without question, Bardot expanded the appeal of international films from cinephiles and college students.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The appeal of Charli’s account was that her reviews were funny, yes, and a glimpse into her culture diet in relation to her own work.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But with a sizable audience doing research to kill time between installments, the miniseries’ cast boasts an awkward attractiveness that sticks out as oddly inauthentic.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Nov. 2025
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Our research shows that extreme attractiveness might grab attention but can undermine connection, the true currency of the influencer economy.—
Abby Frank,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The public reaction to developments in the BCI field is all of a piece with this—equal parts healthy fascination and troubling misinformation.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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After finding success with Shift4 Payments—now valued at roughly $6 billion— Isaacman turned his fascination with flight into action.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And downtown Revelstoke still retains mom-and-pop charm and a strongly local ethos, plus loads of local art (don’t miss the art allies).—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
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Modern Equestrian Elegance Meets Bold Textiles Inspired by the timeless charm of the countryside, this look blends rustic equestrian touches with a refined, modern sensibility.—
Colleen Sullivan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Just over eight minutes were remaining on the clock when the buzz kicked up inside Spectrum Center again, all because the usual main attraction was sauntering to the scorer’s table.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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Japan draws thirtysomethings with its diverse attractions, from culinary delights to swift transportation, catering to travelers' varied interests.—
Jill Krasny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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So one of the jobs that CFOs actually have is to keep people under control and not fall for the seductiveness of narrators, and not just go for convincing stories, but look at facts.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There’s a new ceviche bar and a few new items, like a Bang Bang salmon that’s the perfect blend of mild heat and sweetness.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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Balance the sweetness with a dollop of yogurt.—
Hannah Agran,
Midwest Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivation. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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