charm 1 of 2

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

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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
Althoff seamlessly entered a field of beloved celebrity interview shows known for unconventional charm. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 This reboot of the beloved franchise, centered on the Los Angeles Police Squad, is funny enough to sustain patience without rivalling the original’s wild charm. Hilton Als, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
On the other hand, Raid 2 and Thug Life continue to charm audiences worldwide weeks after their digital premiere. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 In a performance pulsating with a rejuvenated energy, Detroit R&B star Kem charmed a capacity crowd Friday night at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre to open a two-night homecoming stand. Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for charm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charm
Noun
  • Among the subjects of the projects are a teen threesome in North Macedonia that leads to a troublesome pregnancy, a shipwreck hiding a sacred amulet on the Atlantic coast of the Sahara, a crumbling blue bus in 1950s Turkey, and mysterious aunt in rural Serbia.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
  • There are also equippable amulets that offer passive and combo-specific bonuses.
    Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • On a morning analyst call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav talked about pulling back on library content licensing to rival streamers to focus on HBO Max and its consumer appeal.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
  • In early July, Ocean City and Worcester County jointly filed two legal appeals against US Wind’s air permit, claiming that the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), a state agency, issued the permit without following proper procedures.
    Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • When Wednesday asks how to make the tears stop, Morticia forces her to give up Goody’s book of spells.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • In the end, Thing lets Morticia take Goody’s book of spells.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Kendra Scott Elisa Pendant Necklace Wear this stunning necklace with a rose quartz pendant on its own, or layer it with other accessories.
    Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Typically, cords hang like pendants from one thick primary strand.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Growing up in the tiny town of Kingston, Minnesota, population less than 200, Tanner had always been fascinated by extreme weather.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The president is known to be fascinated with the sport, having attended three UFC events since his election in November.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The question of who ultimately possesses the authority to impose tariffs has remained the key to those who wish to challenge the tariffs, with an 11-judge panel appearing unconvinced that Trump can bypass Congress on the issue, particularly when looking at the IEEPA.
    Peter Aitken Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
  • No football player, including Underwood himself, strives in Pop Warner to possess his unique skill.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Making amends After escaping his captors, regaining his talismans, tracking down the rogue Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), and dealing with a Vortex, S2 finds Morpheus (Tom Sturridge) rebuilding the Dreaming, which had fallen into disrepair during his long absence.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Yet every time a talisman departed, a player whom the Bees had steadily developed would come to the fore and replace them.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • From the Rhine’s romantic bends past half-timbered villages and Gothic cathedrals to the Danube’s imperial sweep through Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava—each voyage is a sensory mosaic of medieval history, fine European cuisine, and enchanting culture.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Mingle with enchanting wizards, witches, elves, fairies, princesses and dragons.
    Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Charm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charm. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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