fascinating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ How to pronounce fascinating (audio)
Definition of fascinatingnext
1
as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract the fascinating cities and peoples of central Asia have been intriguing travelers at least since the time of Marco Polo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest the fascinating—but dubious—legend that Pocahontas rescued John Smith from certain death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fascinating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fascinate
1
as in charming
to attract or delight as if by magic for years the zoo's family of giant pandas have fascinated visitors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enchanting
to hold the attention of as if by a spell I can gaze at the sea for hours, fascinated by the never-ending waves crashing upon the shore

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in intriguing
to hold the attention of the subject of artificial intelligence fascinates me

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 fascinating
Adjective
Still, the findings raise a fascinating question about how artificial intelligence could change your next visit to the doctor. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026 Houston’s most unexpected, and perhaps most fascinating, museum is devoted to death. — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2026
Verb
From bizarre medical tests to a mass phobia of beans, here are 14 surprising facts that reveal just how inventive, eccentric, and fascinating the ancient Greeks really were. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 The trailer promises fascinating new characters, like one man who lives on a sailboat for most of the year. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fascinating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fascinating
  1. appealing
  2. interesting
  3. charming
  4. enchanting
  5. intriguing
  6. charismatic
  7. engaging
  8. enticing
Adjective
  • The Max2 is an appealing option for content creators who want to take advantage of the creative possibilities of a 360-degree video camera, as well as surfers, snowboarders, motorcyclists, and others who want to get the whole world in the shot.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026
  • But what makes this jewelry trend especially appealing is the opportunity to make it entirely your own.
    — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of appealing
Adjective
  • Kentucky Most of the attention today will go to Miami-Notre Dame and the Holy War, which makes Kentucky the most interesting spot on the board.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • For fall to winter, the trick is to introduce heavier textures, interesting proportions, and accessories that feel decidedly more 2026 than 2006.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • As John and Gates are playing cards, with the con man still working on charming the agent, the first guard assigned outside in the hallway drops.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Plant flowering shrubs or vines that can trail over the top, charming the neighbors while screening the view at the same time.
    — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of charming
Verb
  • Even the Owens family’s enchanting New England home, which the internet has spent nearly three decades foaming at the mouth over, is barely seen, as much of the film takes place overseas.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Practical Magic 2 has Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman enchanting a new generation of fans, but not everyone from the original cast returned for the sequel.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of enchanting
Verb
  • Mexico City design studio Panorammma applies the historic armor material to intriguing chairs, lights, and vases.
    — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The female forward is in front of the camera, behind the camera, really getting women, intriguing them to come to the service and watch.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of intriguing
Adjective
  • One thing that struck me about the election is that unlike in past party sweeps — say, the Democrats in 2008 with Obama — there was no central, charismatic figure around which all these House and Senate and local races coalesced.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Four years later, my friends and family living elsewhere were confident that there was no way Texans would choose a toad like Ted Cruz for senator over the radiantly charismatic Beto O’Rourke.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Adjective
  • The Cowboys have the shiny filming location, the classic wardrobe, the engaging audience that watches each and every week.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But Davies is unable to make the humorless Clive—a man not of retrograde values but of no core principles—an engaging figure.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of engaging
Verb
  • Chicago lawmakers are reluctant to help the Bears leave the city, which makes long-shot ideas like the Rate Field plan enticing.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Justin Perez, 28, of Springfield, Massachusetts took a plea deal on Monday in Rockville Superior Court, pleading guilty to charges of risk of injury to a minor and enticing a minor, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of enticing

Browse Nearby Words

fascinates
fascinating
fascination
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Cite this Entry

“Fascinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fascinating. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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