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 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 While Rolls-Royce Cullinans waited to ferry guests to the golden sands of Jardin Tropézina, the hotel's chic beach club, children were far more enchanted by the whimsical little train that chugged them toward the 5,500-square-foot kids’ club. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant
Verb
  • What fascinates me most about this girl gang is the intensity, particularly the narrator’s love for fighting.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Still, in the right hands, pretty can fascinate.
    Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has blamed the strike on Iran and said that the country possesses and uses Tomahawk missiles.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026
  • In August, detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division arrested Harker, who allegedly possessed cocaine, heroin and financial documents belonging to two women.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Kendra Sutherland was instantly charmed when first touring a vacant Victorian house about 30 miles south of Atlanta.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Spending the week with the 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI and am simply charmed by the iconic hot hatch.
    Joel Feder, The Drive, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These efforts may not spell the end of Iran’s odious, oppressive regime.
    Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
  • If those details alone didn’t spell luxury, perhaps the cut-to-order steaks, world-famous wine collection, or Harry Waugh Dessert Room will.
    Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Players from all over were enticed by the Raiders, who opened up the coffers to land key free agent additions, including linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Milestone said the weak snowfall and comparatively mild winter may entice some climbers to try to ascend the peak early.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Kingsley, an acting legend thanks to his Oscar-winning performance in Gandhi, later dived so deep into a scene from episode three that the crowd, bewitched by witnessing the actor’s process, erupted into applause.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • From buttery, tender shortbread, to sandwich cookies with seasonal jam, our collection of spring cookies is bound to delight.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Multiple wines Fifteen red wines representing multiple regions will delight wine aficionados.
    Terry Hagerty, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Sammy, a troubled 13-year-old, secretly enlists against his mother’s wishes — seduced by promises of purpose, patriotism, and notoriety.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on enchant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster