as in fascinating
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
as in riveting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in enchantment
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spellbinding
Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
To keep your eyes fixed on him throughout a match is both spellbinding and deadly dull.
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2022
Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Both were spellbinding experiences that exuded joy and adventure in equal measure, prompting me and other attendees to repeatedly grin and shake our heads in wonder and awe.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Verb
For readers and fans, this means more spellbinding narratives, relatable characters, and worlds waiting to be discovered.
—Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
To keep your eyes fixed on him throughout a match is both spellbinding and deadly dull.
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2022
Adjective
Hearing these spellbinding performances in our state-of-the-art studios has been nothing short of extraordinary.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
Series brings spellbinding colors and AI-powered smarts to your movie nights.
—PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Both were spellbinding experiences that exuded joy and adventure in equal measure, prompting me and other attendees to repeatedly grin and shake our heads in wonder and awe.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spellbinding
Adjective
-
The hamster wheel chain competition popped up on day 60 of Big Brother season 27 as part of the White Locust twist and once again made for undeniably riveting television, but this time, the fan reaction was something else — outrage.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
-
For inquisitive minds stashed in MLB front offices the Rockies represent an untapped opportunity and a riveting research project.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The mountains glowed with golden light, evoking a sense of enchantment and possibility.—
Lisa Greissinger,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Fast-forward a century, and Kingcombe now sits on more than 11 acres of pure enchantment.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then the picture begins to blur before coming back into clear focus to reveal Novak, still enchanting at 92, standing in a room filled with her paintings.—
Jeremy Helligar,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The deep green glass vessel, etched with vertical lines reminiscent of towering tree trunks, shifts from khaki to warm browns and golden yellows as the flame flickers, casting a hypnotic glow that’s as enchanting as its aroma.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien have continued their hypnotic rivalry.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her work, then, is the work of resuscitation via bewitchment.—
Ocean Vuong,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
-
But if there is some kind of bewitchment going on in these encounters, Evelyn is entirely immune.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The stories, featuring interwoven poetry, are mesmerizing.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Dejour Alexander has been mesmerizing audiences with his silky-smooth vocals and undeniable stage charisma since his early teens.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As enthralling as beating the Bills may have been, chasing a leader down is the easiest race to run.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The Dodgers’ mood after Game 2 was one of jubilation, a remarkable conclusion to an enthralling game.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There is a quality of trance, of autohypnosis, in her style.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Spellbinding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spellbinding. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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