enchant

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 Along with the clear Bowie and Orbison inspiration, the album’s influences reflect the tastes of someone recently enchanted by the romance of California. Millan Verma, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026 Saturn and Neptune both yeet themselves out of your relationship house forever (kind of), and Venus swoops in to re-enchant your unions. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026 But silver is now an even hotter trade than Nvidia, the high-flying artificial intelligence beneficiary that has enchanted Wall Street since late 2022. Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026 Bob Rockwell grew up on a ranch in Colorado, enchanted by the Western landscape and cultures. Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant
Verb
  • In the story, a fictional scientist, Dobb, studies personoid theology and is fascinated by their struggles to understand the nature of their creator, leading to their eventual rejection of Dobb as a deity.
    Dimitris Tsementzis, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Ever since that fateful 1950s day in New Jersey when Steve Spielberg's father roused him from slumber to take a late-night rural drive out to watch a spectacular shooting star show, the legendary filmmaker has been fascinated with outer space and the mysteries of the cosmos.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • During a recorded interview, officials said Catron confessed to possessing child pornography.
    Sergio Candido, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Rosatom also possesses the know-how to build small modular reactors (SMRs), which Vietnam is considering for its nuclear energy portfolio in the future.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These captivating Southern tales will charm kids—and adults—with their sweet stories and imaginative illustrations.
    Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
  • This is Team Italy, the unlikely underdog of the World Baseball Classic, whose celebrations and gioia di vivere have charmed baseball fans far beyond the shores of the Mediterranean.
    Becky Sullivan, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Its name – arroz, or rice, spelled backwards – gives a sense of the topsy-turvy flavors that go way beyond rice and fish.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
  • In Sherisse Kenerson's after-school classroom, Sandi takes out a piece of paper and fills up a whole line to spell the word that describes a type of lung disease.
    Ava Berger, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While high prices at the grocery store might entice would-be farmers to start herds, rising input costs and farmland decimated by drought have made entering the profession nearly impossible.
    Anthony Pahnke, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
  • For those in pursuit of historical sites, its ancient ruins and museums lined with artifacts should entice.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While skipping school to watch TV one afternoon, he was bewitched by a Hollywood Presents broadcast of a classic silent film.
    Sammy Loren, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Some of the handsomest costumes ever seen in Augusta were only eclipsed by the bright eyes and bewitching smiles.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Whip up endless combinations of adorable treats like mochi, dango, and boba tea to delight your Sanrio friends.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Tommy disburses stuffings and sauces to hungry locals as the GIs seduced their grandmothers with Camels and nylon stockings.
    Dominic Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • On the left, he’s heralded as the only voice capable of seducing young men disaffected by party politics.
    Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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