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

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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

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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

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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

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3
as in intriguing
to hold the attention of the subject of artificial intelligence fascinates me

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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
Of course, the running back matchup is only one aspect of this fascinating matchup between two Super Bowl hopefuls. — Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 Tales of charming fraudsters, cheaters and con artists are historically fascinating to the American audience. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 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
  • But his presence, his apparent delight as adults in scuba suits shoot themselves out of helicopters in pursuit of gold, is part of what makes the show so appealing.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • One of the appealing aspects of building an NFL stadium in Inglewood was the speed with which a development agreement could be assembled and approved.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of appealing
Adjective
  • An interesting detail is that four ESSMs can fit into one compatible launch cell.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That leaves an interesting question about how cities should handle future confrontations between pedestrians and commercial robots.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 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
  • 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
  • The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Definition of intriguing
Adjective
  • The company went public in 2019 during the special-purpose acquisition company boom, boosted by its association with the charismatic Branson, who rang the New York Stock Exchange’s opening bell on the company’s trading debut.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Missy Mazzoli’s operatic adaptation of George Saunders’s novel is a charismatic, openhearted work.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Adjective
  • Maryland does not have a statewide requirement for economic education in public schools, but our local school districts continue to embrace new and engaging ways to introduce students to economic concepts.
    — Julie Weaver, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Established in 2016 by physicist Stephen Hawking and Starmus, the award honors those who have gone above and beyond to make science accessible, engaging and inspiring.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of engaging
Verb
  • 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
  • The seminary student and educator has also been critical of his own party — calling it out for ineptitude, leaving voters behind — and arguing that anti-establishment messaging is enticing to Latinos who have been spurned by both major parties.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 23 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 30 Oct. 2026.

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