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 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 Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the third season will dive deeper into the mythology of witchcraft, introduce new ‘spellbound’ families and feature some of the historical happenings of Salem, the infamous town of witch trials and folklore. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 6 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
  • 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
  • The actor discussed their charmed meet-cute on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2011.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026
Definition of charmed
Verb
  • The 31-year-old rapper, a member of the megagroup NCT and the leader of its subgroup NCT 127, has seemingly always been fascinated by merging different genres to create a new song.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Questions around beauty and longing recur, as do keywords (such as ‘password’), names, references and scenic features, but what fascinated me most is that in principle each episode could be read as a little patchy universe on its own.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of fascinated
Adjective
  • Kindergarten is often an enchanted place, one which many children vividly remember all their lives.
    — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe there’s still hope for a new morning, for clouds that cluster like ripe grapes which, when squeezed, will release from the heavens the sweet streams of enchanted days.
    — Ingeborg Bachmann, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of enchanted
Verb
  • He was mesmerized by the whirlpool, enthralled by the cyclops scene, dazzled at Circe’s transfigurative powers.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Kristin Chenoweth’s performance as Glinda mesmerized the teen actress, as did entire spectacle.
    — Dan Kelly August 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of mesmerized
Adjective
  • The top 50 is the magic number this week because those players are assured to getting into all the $20 million signature events next year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Few stories are as closely associated with the Middle East as Aladdin's magic lamp.
    — Alia Noor, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of magic
Adjective
  • In the middle of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, the islands are a magical landscape where locals and pilgrims connect with ancient spirits at a sacred waterfall.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Fried practices art history and criticism as a poetic, almost magical endeavor.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of magical

Browse Nearby Words

spellbinds
spellbound
spelled
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Cite this Entry

“Spellbound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spellbound. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of spellbound for Spanish Speakers

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