charm 1 of 2

Definition of charmnext
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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

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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

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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
Much of the aesthetic charm of Middle Caicos comes down to chemistry. Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026 Despite its charm, it hasn’t been swallowed by the tourist surge that defines nearby Lake Tahoe. Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the films, Zellweger has charmed us all with a portrait of comedic genius. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025 San Francisco’s season that has been equal parts charmed and snakebitten continued Sunday with another victory even though many of the team’s playmakers remain injured. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 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
  • The Supreme Court also previously denied an appeal filed by Davis in 2020.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • During this spell, Boland barely gave a thing away.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Lydia Ko went through such a spell.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Another photo included Perry, showing her necklace with a gold Maple Leaf pendant, which may be a nod to her boyfriend’s home country.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • For a significant upgrade, start searching for pendants and wall sconces, which are a bit more complicated to install but can offer a high impact on a space.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
  • The reactor also possesses a strong negative temperature coefficient, meaning the nuclear reaction naturally slows as temperatures rise, preventing a runaway event.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The current policy, last revised in 2010, allows students to possess electronic devices during the school day but prohibits their use unless approved for educational purposes.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But Wawrinka, who won his singles rubber against France’s Arthur Rinderknech 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in the previous round-robin to put Switzerland in with a chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals, remained a talisman for the team even in a close defeat.
    The Athletic Tennis Staff, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Such talismans blended Africa and the Americas, bringing together old and new practices, beliefs, and objects.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Charm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charm. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.

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