captivating

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ing ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ How to pronounce captivating (audio)
Synonyms of captivatingnext
: 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

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Yet somehow, by the end, the result is both moving and captivating. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 May 2026 Among them, the West Highland Line has been named the most beautiful rail journey in the country, earning global recognition in a recent study that ranks the world’s most visually captivating routes. Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026 Bella Hadid and the Cannes Film Festival are practically forever linked at this point; the model always makes a captivating, memorable appearance at the French fest, and her 2026 installment was no different. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 May 2026 Carns, 46, has a captivating personal story that could attract support among the different factions within Labour. ABC News, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for captivating

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivating was in 1675

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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