Definition of charmnext
1
as in amulet
something worn or kept to bring good luck or keep away evil an old cap that I use as a charm for whenever I play softball

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in pendant
an ornament worn on a chain around the neck or wrist a dangling charm in the figure of a horse on her bracelet

Synonyms & Similar Words

charm

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word charm different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of charm are allure, attract, captivate, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

When could allure be used to replace charm?

Although the words allure and charm have much in common, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When can attract be used instead of charm?

The words attract and charm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

When might enchant be a better fit than charm?

While in some cases nearly identical to charm, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When would fascinate be a good substitute for charm?

The synonyms fascinate and charm are sometimes interchangeable, but fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

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 charm
Noun
Meanwhile, on the product side, the Core category that contains Pandora’s charm business and the Talisman range launched last year, grew 1 percent. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026 Swarovski’s Hyperbola earrings are unique but timeless; alternatively, choose a statement piece, like Hunting Season’s Tagua pendant, or an oversized Pandora charm. — Mekaylah Yowpp-Hernacki, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
Here are seven hardy groundcovers to plant in October that are easy to care for, resilient in cold weather, and sure to charm for years to come. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 14 Oct. 2026 No rude reality intrudes on Avedon’s dream city, where the women are beautiful and in love and even the bystanders are charmed. — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charm
Noun
  • Daniels wrote that El-Sabarum sold candles in a variety of shapes and colors, herbs, special oils, and amulets.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • My curiosity around amulets and talismans is something of a contradiction.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Big business interests like building owners, developers and the property tax attorneys that file appeals for both lined up with Hynes, who convinced party officials to endorse him over the summer.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Before that, Gooden was an appellate attorney who handled hundreds of appeals.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • He is enchanted by the spinning itself, and even by his own enchantment – a spell that breaks the instant the top stops in his hand.
    — Stacy Keltner, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Just after the illustration of the Devil is a collection of three spells to cure disease and fever and two magic formulas for catching thieves.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Swarovski’s Hyperbola earrings are unique but timeless; alternatively, choose a statement piece, like Hunting Season’s Tagua pendant, or an oversized Pandora charm.
    — Mekaylah Yowpp-Hernacki, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The South Korean star is captured in a demure Safari top or leather blazer donning jewels from Damiani’s Belle Époque and Belle Époque Reel collections, including the signature cross pendent.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Mitchell Kohrmann was fascinated by the Cannonball record runs between New York City and Los Angeles, but decided to make things more interesting by choosing the slowest possible car.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Those copious field reports, sworn affidavits, and telegrams signed, alarmingly, HOOVER, would fascinate, enrage, and unmoor me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • LaGrone was directed not to possess weapons, alcohol or drugs and remain under the care of a person whose initials are noted in a document.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The person in charge did not possess a valid Food Protection Manager Certificate.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Soddu makes jewelry talismans because they can be worn and returned to.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Drawing from the Renaissance game’s design and motif, there are playful talismans — geese, dragonflies, clovers, horseshoes, dice, keys and ladybugs — across trays, teapots, mugs, boxes, miniatures and espresso sets.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Anwar is trying to highlight Malaysia’s attractiveness to tech and AI companies, in particular by highlighting the country as a neutral and non-aligned home for investment.
    — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
  • On the other hand, higher Fed rates typically bolster the attractiveness of dollar assets, exerting depreciation pressure on local currencies.
    — , CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Charm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charm. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on charm

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