attract

verb

Definition of attractnext
as in to entice
to engage the attention of The park's natural wonders attract many tourists. The blackbird puts on a colorful display in its attempt to attract a mate.

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How is the word attract different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of attract are allure, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

When is it sensible to use allure instead of attract?

While the synonyms allure and attract are close in meaning, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of attract?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

Where would enchant be a reasonable alternative to attract?

The synonyms enchant and attract are sometimes interchangeable, but enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When might fascinate be a better fit than attract?

Although the words fascinate and attract have much in common, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

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 attract Added to that, customer numbers have dropped by about 40% as many people have left the country, so the focus is now on attracting new clients through online sales. —Kamila Hrabchuk, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026 Being attracted to someone plays a big part, but there’s also so much more than that for me. —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026 With a firehouse of insults flowing from Washington, the value of dignity rises with people of goodwill, while attracting the disdain of a diminishing mob. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026 Keep Your Feeder in Good Repair Any cracks or leaks in your hummingbird feeder can allow drips of sugary nectar to drip down and attract ants. —Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
  1. entice
  2. interest
Verb
  • Eric Patrick, 31, pleaded guilty in an Orlando courtroom to attempting to entice a 15-year-old, whom Patrick and his husband, Richard Kowalczyk, met on Grindr, a dating app for gay men, according to Patrick’s plea agreement.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Part of what makes Joomra Pillow Slippers enticing is their waterproof design.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of entice
Verb
  • In Brazil, the debate on narcoterrorism, even after Furtado’s bill was back on the table, seemed not to interest the main figures of the country’s far right.
    — Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
  • That doesn’t interest me as a writer.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of interest

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on attract

Nglish: Translation of attract for Spanish Speakers

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