as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
an enthralling account of life in the scientific community in Antarctica
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
enthralled by the flickering fire in the hearth, we lost all track of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in entrancing
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight)
for years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in intriguing
to hold the attention of
a play that will enthrall you for two hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 enthralling
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
His absence in the Warriors’ last home game of the regular season also put a damper on what could have been another enthralling matchup of two of the NBA’s biggest stars.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Welcome back to The Athletic’s title-race tracker, where our data and tactics writers take a look at the key trends behind an enthralling battle for the Premier League crown.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The mission eventually leads him back to his childhood home, providing for an enthralling, heart-wrenching finale.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
The combination was enthralling and uplifting, and a great way to keep the energy high into the night.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Jean is an enthralling account of an artist learning to be less precious about linear healing and emotions that don’t lend themselves to that process.
—Larisha Paul, VIBE.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Jean is an enthralling account of an artist learning to be less precious about linear healing and emotions that don’t lend themselves to that process.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man ever to complete a career grand slam on Sunday, adding the Australian Open title to his trophy cabinet after defeating Novak Djokovic in an enthralling men’s final.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Inside the room of Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, there were plenty of enthralling moments that didn't make the cut or nearly went unnoticed.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Fernando Frias’s enthralling concert film intercuts the band’s performances as seen from all sorts of angles, creating an almost democratic variation on the typical rock doc.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Journalist Sebastian Junger has spent the last three decades enthralling audiences with his long-form investigative magazine stories, best-selling books, and documentary films.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
She was poised, her speech impeccable, enthralling her audience with peeks at her life and her earlier visit to the lab.
—Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Melting Point, by Rachel Cockerell Rachel Cockerell’s inventive, enthralling nonfiction debut relies entirely on primary sources to recount the plan by her great-grandfather David Jochelman to resettle 10,000 Russian Jews in Galveston, Texas.
—Monitor Staff, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025
Adjective
Watching the two teams toggle schematic approaches mid-series and adjust rosters in the offseasons to better matchup with one another has produced an enthralling chess match.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
His absence in the Warriors’ last home game of the regular season also put a damper on what could have been another enthralling matchup of two of the NBA’s biggest stars.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Welcome back to The Athletic’s title-race tracker, where our data and tactics writers take a look at the key trends behind an enthralling battle for the Premier League crown.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The mission eventually leads him back to his childhood home, providing for an enthralling, heart-wrenching finale.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
The combination was enthralling and uplifting, and a great way to keep the energy high into the night.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Jean is an enthralling account of an artist learning to be less precious about linear healing and emotions that don’t lend themselves to that process.
—Larisha Paul, VIBE.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Jean is an enthralling account of an artist learning to be less precious about linear healing and emotions that don’t lend themselves to that process.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man ever to complete a career grand slam on Sunday, adding the Australian Open title to his trophy cabinet after defeating Novak Djokovic in an enthralling men’s final.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
The combination of Luka Doncic and LeBron James was overpowering and enthralling for all to see during the Lakers’ dynamic 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Wednesday.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Inside the room of Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, there were plenty of enthralling moments that didn't make the cut or nearly went unnoticed.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Fernando Frias’s enthralling concert film intercuts the band’s performances as seen from all sorts of angles, creating an almost democratic variation on the typical rock doc.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Journalist Sebastian Junger has spent the last three decades enthralling audiences with his long-form investigative magazine stories, best-selling books, and documentary films.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
She was poised, her speech impeccable, enthralling her audience with peeks at her life and her earlier visit to the lab.
—Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Melting Point, by Rachel Cockerell Rachel Cockerell’s inventive, enthralling nonfiction debut relies entirely on primary sources to recount the plan by her great-grandfather David Jochelman to resettle 10,000 Russian Jews in Galveston, Texas.
—Monitor Staff, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enthralling
Adjective
-
From there, both fighters were trading blows, but the fifth round was when Strickland had an interesting moment with Chimaev.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Welcome to Taste Test, where every week our critic Jonah Flicker explores the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
10 May 2026
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
-
Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Turns out their insatiable desire for drama and noise has yet to be quelled, which means their upcoming batch of concerts will be as entrancing as ever.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Filled with gorgeous, entrancing cinematography, this true story of an unlikely friendship inspires wonder about the natural world and our place in it.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
-
There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Rivals provide more engaging driving dynamics, but the Envista isn't designed to be thrilling.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
Kelly Clarkson has certainly earned her place as the queen of daytime talk shows, thanks to her standout guests and engaging conversations.—
Sarah DiMuro,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Equally enchanting this fashion month were Celine’s colorful leather pouches—particularly in cobalt blue, a trending hue—as seen on Ramya Giangola and Yumi Shin below.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sweet summer corn, creamy mozzarella, and savory miso team up to add rich flavor and tame the heat of these zippy peppers for a crowd pleasing dish.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
-
Not just the neat trick of beguiling highbrow critics while at the same time pleasing millions of readers who don’t care about literary bona fides.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Cold plunging — immersing the body in water below 60 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods — is typically paired with saunas, hot tubs and other restorative treatments.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
Curiously, windows and sliding doors aren’t equipped with screens (yet), which makes immersing yourself in the forest environment while indoors more challenging (and less breezy), though the unmistakable calls of the colobus monkeys ring right through the glass.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enthralling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enthralling. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
