as in riveting
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Dissimilar Words
as in enchantment
Related Words
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spellbinding
New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2026
Here was the Rosetta stone — perhaps the most spellbinding and mysterious recording Gary ever made.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After seeing other bakers promote their bakeries and cake decorating skills on social media through different creative video series, Alexis Oltmanns, the head cake decorator at Sugarjones in Loves Park, decided to do the same with her own spellbinding spin on the trend.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2026
Experiencing the Valley of the Kings, the Avenue of Sphinxes, and the Colossi of Memnon beneath a spellbinding ring of light promises to be one of the most sublime journeys imaginable.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Adjective
For even more spellbinding photography, check out these architectural images from this year's Sony awards, as well as arresting compositions from the 2025 Minimalist Photography Awards and incredible details in last year's Natural Landscape Photography Awards.
—New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2026
Here was the Rosetta stone — perhaps the most spellbinding and mysterious recording Gary ever made.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
The outlines of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 are already seared into the American psyche, but this spellbinding book adds fascinating texture and provides a salutary warning for policymakers today.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After seeing other bakers promote their bakeries and cake decorating skills on social media through different creative video series, Alexis Oltmanns, the head cake decorator at Sugarjones in Loves Park, decided to do the same with her own spellbinding spin on the trend.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
McRae leveled up like few other pop artists in 2025, realizing her full star potential in spellbinding fashion across various singles, albums and performances — and proving pop still had a place in its center for the daughters of Britney and Xtina.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2026
Experiencing the Valley of the Kings, the Avenue of Sphinxes, and the Colossi of Memnon beneath a spellbinding ring of light promises to be one of the most sublime journeys imaginable.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spellbinding
Adjective
-
Watching a prodigy embarrass the world over 72 holes was riveting; equally captivating is following the same person be exposed by life, hubris and ego.—
Mac Engel
April 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Although McKellen’s Julian is colorful and riveting, Solomon saw Coel’s Lori as the protagonist from whose perspective the movie would largely be told.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
How Truman understood sports Perhaps most appealingly to anyone locally, though, is Truman’s seemingly improbable enchantment with sports.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Add extra enchantment to your garden by placing a concrete fireplace along the fence with stone pavers.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
That smell of Sumatra — earthy, smoky, almost hypnotic.—
Nick El Hajj,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a huge connection between the hypnotic energy of your music and your live PORTAL shows.—
Danny Klein,
SPIN,
13 Apr. 2026
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 face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This enchanting 500-year-old Grade II cottage is set in 12 acres of mature gardens and land – including paddocks, a kitchen garden, and access with frontage on the River Arun (including fishing rights), ideal for kayaking and other water pursuits.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Watching the two teams toggle schematic approaches mid-series and adjust rosters in the offseasons to better matchup with one another has produced an enthralling chess match.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
-
His absence in the Warriors’ last home game of the regular season also put a damper on what could have been another enthralling matchup of two of the NBA’s biggest stars.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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 27 Apr. 2026.
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