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spellbound 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspel-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce spellbound (audio)
Definition of spellboundnext
as in charmed
being or appearing to be under a magic spell spellbound audiences never tire of this annual Christmas favorite

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spellbound

2 of 2

verb

past tense of spellbind
as in fascinated
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

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 spellbound
Adjective
The ecstatic scenes across the country after a Mexico win, most notably in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, the three host cities, paint the picture of a nation spellbound by its football team. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 July 2026 The town was spellbound over this horrific murders. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026 The result was a strangely spellbound life. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 The waxing and waning of the substorm conditions fuel auroras all night, keeping us spellbound for hours. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spellbound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spellbound
  1. charmed
  2. fascinated
  3. enchanted
  4. mesmerized
  5. magic
  6. magical
Adjective
  • Since then, Cregger has gone on one of the most charmed runs of any filmmaker in town.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For years, Coventry had lived a charmed life in the top flight, pulling off a few dramatic escapes either side of a glorious FA Cup success in 1987.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of charmed
Verb
  • So that fascinated me, the fact that these fields were somehow kind of edgy in terms of our definition of the scientific method and so on.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The video quickly went viral, amassing more than 1 million views and thousands of comments from viewers fascinated by her unconventional childhood.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of fascinated
Adjective
  • The attraction takes guests on a tour of the Darling family’s London home before whisking them off on enchanted boats to Neverland Island.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The spa Among the most enchanted of spaces in a castle that is seemingly composed of nothing but enchanted spaces.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of enchanted
Verb
  • Nearly a year after her record-breaking album mesmerized Swifties, the singer has rewarded her loyal fanbase with a deluxe edition, subtitled The Encore.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The flavor, though, was so thoroughly tomato, I was mesmerized.
    — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of mesmerized
Adjective
  • And yet liminality is the space where real healing and most of life happens—where, quietly and unexpectedly, the real work and magic unfold.
    — Stefanie Benjamin, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The whole concept sounds pretty cool, but this device is not quite a magic box.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of magic
Adjective
  • The Mary Poppins of the novels is often noted for being more mysterious, mercurial and dangerous than her film incarnation, and the adventures in the books are magical, surreal and sometimes frightening.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The film followed the trials of a struggling keyboardist who gets hold of a magical synthesizer, only to lose it and embark on a picaresque journey to get it back.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of magical

Browse Nearby Words

spellbinds
spellbound
spelled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spellbound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spellbound. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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