enchant

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 Like millions of viewers, Rashad Raisani grew enchanted with Music City through watching the soapy nighttime drama Nashville, which captivated fans during its 2012-2018 run and led to a major tourism boom in Nashville and interest in country music. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025 The mass of greenery sets the stage as a fresh background for blooming plants or can enchant visitors on its own. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025 Let yourself be enchanted by the possibilities, but also anchor them — sketch the dream, but also build the frame to hold it. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025 He and his mother, the late Eve Branson, were enchanted. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant
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
Verb
  • There’s a reason Fiyero charmed both Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande), after all!
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Aspiring actor Jason Cohen is a happy-go-lucky server who has charmed everyone at SUR.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • More and more resellers were getting into the business, which spelled a growing demand for wholesale product.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
  • There are so many complicated character and spell names, did any of them trip you up while recording?
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Africa’s leading banking groups are targeting DR Congo, enticed by one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies and the promise of a lucrative mining sector, despite the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • There were questions swirling over whether Nintendo’s Switch 2 would be different enough from its predecessor to entice users.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Grace’s playfully feral wantonness is funny and bewitching, but her schtick loses its luster for Jackson, who takes a job that keeps him away from home, leaving her with the baby.
    Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The vampy glam—propeled by a makeup bag full of Dior Beauty—was in a bewitching rhythm with her sculptural black Dior gown and a black and silver buckle choker.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Nancy Bernstorff and Terri Lopez, both from Ramona, said they were delighted by Truett’s artwork.
    Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The buttery shortbread dough, coated twice in powdered sugar, creates a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s sure to delight.
    Macie Stump, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Choudhary, a collector of contemporary art as well as Indian artifacts, considered a career in hospitality before he was seduced by the gems his family has traded for centuries.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Jacob plots to seduce his employers and gain an advantage from their industry connections, but unwittingly walks into a trap.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on enchant

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