Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fascinate are allure, attract, captivate, charm, and enchant. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

When could allure be used to replace fascinate?

The words allure and fascinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When is attract a more appropriate choice than fascinate?

The meanings of attract and fascinate 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 are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of fascinate?

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

When would enchant be a good substitute for fascinate?

While the synonyms enchant and fascinate are close in meaning, 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

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 fascinate European sailors of that era were fascinated by the rich trading cities of Asia, which had been known from Marco Polo’s travels. The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025 People have long been fascinated by the awesome power of waves. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025 The school’s origins are cultish, an area that fascinates Martin. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025 Levitation has fascinated both entertainers and scientists for centuries. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fascinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fascinate
Verb
  • That's when the companies start trying to entice business customers onto their platform by being really good to them - at the expense of their users.
    NPR, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But an uninspired and shallow story – which includes a rape scene demanded by the studio – hampers his attempts to entice us with a chilling and menacing tone.
    Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And to those of you who are new, I'm enchanted to meet you.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • This is a question that interests Maggie Perkins, a corporate trainer at the company who travels the country to instruct employees in its ways.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • With a limited production of only 200 pairs, each boot features a unique production number sure to interest Harley fans.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Gen Alpha’s latest viral catchphrase is baffling adults and delighting kids across the country.
    Kimberly Richardson, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Even the box will delight your dog.
    Christine Persaud, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hill was thrilled that the duo were interested in making the sequel, with Derrickson also returning as director.
    William Earl, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
  • For those a little more thrilled by the seasonal shift, there is a wealth of fall classics waiting to be brought back into rotation.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The results, at the crossroads between fashion and art, intrigued Murakami.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Throughout the development of three seasons of Interview With the Vampire and two seasons of Mayfair Witches, Johnson became intrigued about the organization that kept popping up at pivotal moments in the story yet was never fully explored in Rice's books.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Different elements seemed to captivate him at different times.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Although the man has yet to confirm his own identity, the moment continues to captivate.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There were barrel racers slicing turns like poetry, bull riders gripping for glory, and calf ropers moving with the precision of surgeons.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The kicks also feature a herringbone outsole, per the product description, designed to grip hardwood floors.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fascinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fascinate. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fascinate

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