captivated

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ed ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-təd How to pronounce captivated (audio)
Synonyms of captivatednext
: having one's interest or attention held or captured by something or someone charming, beautiful, entertaining, etc.
The captivated audience oohed and aahed as colorful patterns emerged on an overhead screen …Jean Hennelly Keith
At dinner, Wayne keeps the conversation smooth, like a captivated courtier seeking Neil's mother's hand.David Leavitt

Examples of captivated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Over the years, stories of lawlessness on cruises have both captivated and horrified travelers, with experts often pointing out how the unique environment often serves as a hotbed for bad actors and troublesome events. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025 Soon, DiRusso had a devoted, captivated audience built almost entirely online who saw her music as a joyous and off-kilter mirror to their own lives. Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025 Read more about The Year in AI—and What's Ahead in the latest Fortune AIQ special report, reflecting on the AI trends that took over the business world and captivated consumers in 2025. John Kell, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025 The performances have captivated crowds and at-home viewers for decades, especially because the singers often deal with the elements (including freezing temperatures, rain and even snow) while belting it out on moving floats. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captivated

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivated was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Captivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivated. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

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