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

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
She was drawn to Felanitx, the location of her current outpost, for its raw charm. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025 Now that enchanting charm has expanded to another New York City location. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Swift’s fans were charmed by the gesture. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025 There’s even a growing market for clunky-but-charming mini cathode-ray-style TVs — and boomboxes with streaming capability. Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charm
Noun
  • Those spirits were awakened by several methods, from burying the packet in the ground, to tying macrame-like knots onto the parcels, to driving nails into the amulet—all to fulfill the requests of Congolese practitioners.
    Essence, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Brides in South Asia are famously decked out in the precious metal – necklaces, earrings, nose rings, hair pieces and amulets – that can be gifted or inherited.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Owing to its appeal and acclaim, Pinjar was translated into eight other Indian and foreign languages, including English.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • However, for executives under pressure to boost productivity at lower costs—and especially for those with a penchant for cutting—the appeal of flattening the hierarchy is obvious.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But 17 games and four wins later, the club announced Felix Magath was the new boss, without actually mentioning that Meulensteen had been moved on, which was a weird start to a truly surreal spell.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Hocus Pocus actress Stephanie Faracy's iconic Madonna Halloween costume from the 1993 Disney classic has cast a spell on her latest acting gig 32 years later.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Prices span from 620 euros for the Reine pendant in 925 silver and 2,710 euros for the version crafted in 18-karat yellow gold up to 4,550 euros for the gold alternative set with pavé diamonds.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Cinema makes the pendant the hinge between labor and art.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout that time, Frédéric Boucheron was fascinated by the natural world — a passion Poulit‑Duquesne and Choisne continue today, visible in collections featuring feather motifs, fluid forms and other designs.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • It’s set in the early 80s, which is a period that fascinates me.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Scott Parker’s team possess all of the qualities that Vincent Kompany’s side lacked — a solid defensive foundation, togetherness, fighting spirit, and valuable top-flight experience led by example from defender Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • From slasher homages like Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue to esoteric but no less worthy films like Belladonna of Sadness, these works possess a power to shock and terrify.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been in impressive form, led by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham, who has quickly become their talisman with goals from midfield and a commanding presence in big matches.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Just this summer, Chidozie Awaziem requested a transfer to France for personal reasons, then the club’s talisman, Djordje Mihailovic, demanded a trade to Toronto near the end of the window.
    Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Things changed in January when management announced that DuPont would retain its water business — not only to accelerate the timing of the electronics spin, but also to enhance the overall attractiveness of the remaining legacy company.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Nevertheless, regardless of the potential attractiveness, investing in an individual stock entails significant risk.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Charm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charm. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on charm

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!