captivating

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ing ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ How to pronounce captivating (audio)
: charmingly or irresistibly appealing
a captivating aroma
It's an utterly exotic combination of flavors, and a completely captivating one.Howard Seftel
Books with captivating stories and bright, uncomplicated artwork will enchant the very young without being too demanding.Ed Zotti
A captivating storyteller, he conveys the cozy domesticity of the small-time growers as well as the Technicolor style of life of the big deal-makers.Alison Friesinger
captivatingly adverb
a captivatingly sweet voice
Each room is named for a month, and January through December are captivatingly filled with fanciful hearts, flowers, and vines that trail over the beds, chests, and wardrobes. Mimi Elder

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Refreshing, captivating and unapologetically Black, the series is about finding the courage to actively participate in your own life even when that means doing the absolute most. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 Much like her own garden, Lawson has decorated her store with captivating and bright art pieces and other items. Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The ocular countdown, which needs to be a captivating and terrifying conceit, simply isn’t. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 The meticulous curation of colors throughout the showcase is simply breathtaking, with each hue more captivating than the last, leaving a lasting impression long after the show’s conclusion. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Mar. 2024 Legend compared Olesen’s captivating stage presence to U2 frontman Bono. USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 The captivating sight of tables adorned with vibrant green and pink acrylic tiles. Kinsey Gidicl, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 Three years in, our collection of community life photos and videos, paints a captivating collage of real moments. Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Feb. 2024 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the captivating sequel to 2019’s Fallen Order, one that continues the story of Cal Kestis and his little droid, BD-1. Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'captivating.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivating was in 1675

Dictionary Entries Near captivating

Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivating. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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