as in to fascinate
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
the tale about pirates and their buried treasure had completely spellbound the children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 spellbind
Crossing the equator, Earhart was spellbound by the sprawling Amazon River below.
—
Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
These spellbinding historical passages serve as a ballast to Lina and Wui’s uncertain existence.
—Lauren Leblanc, New York Times, 20 May 2025
And for those who can bear to tear themselves away from the villa’s spellbinding beauty?
—Lysanne Currie, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Thanks to gorgeous graphics, spellbinding battle scenes and a hefty dose of symbolism, Chinese cinemagoers have streamed through the turnstiles in their millions to watch it.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spellbind
Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
These spellbinding historical passages serve as a ballast to Lina and Wui’s uncertain existence.
—Lauren Leblanc, New York Times, 20 May 2025
And for those who can bear to tear themselves away from the villa’s spellbinding beauty?
—Lysanne Currie, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Thanks to gorgeous graphics, spellbinding battle scenes and a hefty dose of symbolism, Chinese cinemagoers have streamed through the turnstiles in their millions to watch it.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spellbind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spellbind
Verb
-
These elephants fascinate zoologists for their ability to handle the harsh weather conditions in the area, including strong, ice-cold winds and alternating droughts and heavy rains.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Highball fascinates with its cozy, yet brooding ambience and complex, clean cocktails.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Pamela Anderson Is Quietly Revolutionary in The Naked Gun Running into walls Speaking of femme fatales, Pamela Anderson isn’t the first woman to enchant a Drebin to walk headfirst into a wall.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Paqueta became the league’s great entertainer — his repertoire of nutmegs, through balls and insouciant celebrations enchanting supporters in the Rhone Valley and beyond.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spellbind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spellbind. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share