Definition of enchantnext

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of enchant are allure, attract, captivate, charm, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," 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

Where would allure be a reasonable alternative to enchant?

The synonyms allure and enchant are sometimes interchangeable, but allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When is attract a more appropriate choice than enchant?

The meanings of attract and enchant largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How do charm and captivate relate to one another, in the sense of enchant?

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

In what contexts can fascinate take the place of enchant?

The words fascinate and enchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 enchant Generations of visitors to the Okefenokee Swamp have been enchanted by its rich wildlife, black waters and cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026 Clark’s Elioak Farm, at 10600 Clarksville Pike, has a lot to offer in addition to its Enchanted Forest features that have truly enchanted kids for decades. Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026 Theron plays the nymph Calypso, who keeps Odysseus enchanted on her island for seven years. Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The country was playing in the World Cup for just the third time, and the run enchanted a nation that is normally far more interested in hockey than the pitch. Kristie Rieken, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant
Verb
  • The tension, the uncertainty, the hovering between bravery and cowardice captures some of what fascinated me in Muriel Rukeyser’s novel Savage Coast.
    Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Garfield remembers being fascinated by the rows of VHS tapes and the possibilities behind their covers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 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
Verb
  • The result is a fascinating deconstruction of the documentary process, with Pretsell both charmed and exasperated by his mercurial and temperamental subject.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Toscano wasn’t the only performer charmed by the duke and duchess at Foster’s gala.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Slash’s groundsnake won’t hurt humans, but human activity could spell disaster for this snake and other creatures in New Guinea.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Adames also committed an error on a routine grounder in the bottom of the seventh that could’ve spelled disaster, but Houser got out of the inning unscathed.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Offering a 35% incentive aimed at stiffening up jobs here and enticing post-production to relocate to the Golden State, AB 2319 is racing toward a vote in the state Senate by next week once the bill is in final shape.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Marvel Studios began moving its production operations to Georgia, enticed by the state’s uncapped tax credits that could be used for actors’ salaries.
    Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Even sequels and prequels — say, those in the Star Wars canon — ideally aspire to a degree of self-sufficiency in which the audience can discern the story and, properly bewitched, can proceed to seek out the other movies.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • For birdwatching in colder climates, the Highlands of Scotland are endlessly bewitching.
    Lydia Swinscoe, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Fantastic Fest, the most reliably eclectic and unapologetically strange American film festival on the fall calendar, has unveiled a lineup that promises to delight any cinephile whose tastes lie outside the conventional.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Good stories may delight or entertain, anger or outrage, surprise or shock.
    Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And to seduce Hannah… Every girl should get to seduce Hannah Einbinder.
    Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Nevertheless, don’t be seduced by someone else (or even yourself), because things are not clear today.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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