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 Adelman is fascinated enough by the trend to try it himself. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025 Europe, with its rich past, had fascinated many of its colonial subjects. Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 David Martill, professor emeritus at the Institute of the Earth and Environment at the University of Portsmouth, was fascinated by the study and UV images. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025 He has always been fascinated by them. Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fascinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fascinate
Verb
  • The possibilities are enticing because of how both Mara and Johnson grade out defensively.
    CJ Moore, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The 6-foot-4, 260-pound outside linebacker has a draft pedigree that could entice other squads.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Castlecore Castlecore continues to enchant Pinterest users, blending medieval fantasy with mystical, whimsical elements.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
  • And to those of you who are new, I'm enchanted to meet you.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And having fun to develop and nourish the strategy by being open to brand creativity and following advice from our partners, always having the customers interest in mind.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • To read only the chapters that interest you?
    Sophia Rosenfeld September 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The interaction delighted Kate's followers, who commented on his presence and received a wave from off-camera.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The people that were doing the festival were thrilled.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Jones, who is 3-0 as the Niners’ starter, was asked about the inspiration behind his two-tone suit during his postgame presser following San Francisco’s thrilling 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The budding businessman was intrigued when its owners put the business up for sale at $27,500 in 1981—and jumped on the opportunity to buy it.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Earlier this month, Netflix confirmed that Janney and her screen husband Bradley Whitford had been upped to series regulars for season four so expect both to be at the center of all the series intrigue this season.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some folks are captivated by the game’s new wave of stars (such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers).
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • First premiering in October 2019, Rock the Block has captivated HGTV fans over the course of its last six seasons.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • It’s measured by gripping a handheld dynamometer.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fascinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fascinate. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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