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

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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
Though uncommonly immune to his charms, Ginger does accept Lee’s help on a case. Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026 The three-piece set includes a miniature Tajín bottle in a hand beaded holder, a miniature Taco Bell bag designed to stash Tajín seasoning and Taco Bell Hot Sauce Packets, and a heart charm featuring Peso Pluma’s logo. Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
As John and Gates are playing cards, with the con man still working on charming the agent, the first guard assigned outside in the hallway drops. Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 And as always, Reacher’s bone-dry and hyper-literal wit continues to charm in this new adventure from showrunner Nick Santora (this time adapting author Lee Child’s Gone Tomorrow). James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charm
Noun
  • The excavation, carried out by an Egyptian archaeological mission under the supervision of the SCA, also uncovered pottery coffins, as well as a collection of incense burners, oil lamps, and funerary amulets.
    Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026
  • Supporters hoisted their children toward her or presented her with gifts—amulets, handwritten notes, rosaries, prayer cards.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • He was sentenced to death in 1986, won an appeal for a new sentencing hearing and was again sentenced to death in 1989.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The mish-mash of different stands, for instance, at Harrogate Town’s Wetherby Road — now no longer part of the ’92’, following their relegation in May— gave the place a certain appeal, even though the National League felt a more natural home.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Mourinho’s first game back at the Bernabeu should be box-office given the divisions his last spell in charge from 2010 to 2013 caused at Madrid — and his behaviour when managing Benfica against Madrid in the Champions League last year.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Her attempt to drain the last bit of magic had backfired into a Fear spell.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The kitchen also has a light switch on one side of the island and a remote for the island pendants because there wasn’t space to add another switch without major rewiring.
    Jenny Hughes, The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When Pogosian set one of his early pendants, a hexagon built around the number six, his lucky number since birth, with black diamonds.
    Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The 31-year-old rapper, a member of the megagroup NCT and the leader of its subgroup NCT 127, has seemingly always been fascinated by merging different genres to create a new song.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Questions around beauty and longing recur, as do keywords (such as ‘password’), names, references and scenic features, but what fascinated me most is that in principle each episode could be read as a little patchy universe on its own.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Between impressive center depth and a prospect pool brimming with guys who possess playoff-style traits, the Mammoth have a well-rounded system that should turn this franchise into a perennial playoff contender.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Hamed Alsaidi, 31, has been charged with eight counts of possessing an unregistered destructive device.
    Todd Feurer, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • As the legend goes, the designer found a metal star on the streets of Paris early in his career, then kept it as a talisman.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Spain’s superpower was a coherent tactical system that no other national team — or their respective talismans — could find an answer to.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The judging criteria balanced overall attractiveness and legibility for law enforcement.
    Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The list compiled 300 cities of varying sizes across 22 factors of market attractiveness, affordability and quality of life.
    Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Charm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charm. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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