as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic
the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivate
Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Hundreds have personally messaged Saito, captivated by his chutzpah.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Jared Weiss, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Verb
Like many who visit Biosphere 2, I was drawn in by its controversial history but captivated by its current state.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Hundreds have personally messaged Saito, captivated by his chutzpah.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
Wembanyama’s captivation with the intricacies of space travel was apparent.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
Verb
-
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
-
Elizabeth is fascinated by insects and science.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Supreme Court also previously denied an appeal filed by Davis in 2020.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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That Mamdani was able to win decisively shows the power of his appeal, and how much his charisma, social media savvy and messaging on affordability resonated with voters.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Africa’s leading banking groups are targeting DR Congo, enticed by one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies and the promise of a lucrative mining sector, despite the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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There were questions swirling over whether Nintendo’s Switch 2 would be different enough from its predecessor to entice users.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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
Verb
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There’s a reason Fiyero charmed both Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande), after all!—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
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Aspiring actor Jason Cohen is a happy-go-lucky server who has charmed everyone at SUR.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
3 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
Verb
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Nancy Bernstorff and Terri Lopez, both from Ramona, said they were delighted by Truett’s artwork.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
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The buttery shortbread dough, coated twice in powdered sugar, creates a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s sure to delight.—
Macie Stump,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Since Ho’s first visit decades ago, all the danwei have moved out of the Palace Museum, one of the most popular attractions in China.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Liminal Space is also exploring potential applications with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development and Disney Experiences to create new experiences and enhance existing attractions.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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