captivate

verb

ˈkap-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce captivate (audio)
Definition of captivatenext
as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of captivate are allure, attract, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," 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

When can allure be used instead of captivate?

In some situations, the words allure and captivate are roughly equivalent. However, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When could attract be used to replace captivate?

The meanings of attract and captivate largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

When would enchant be a good substitute for captivate?

While in some cases nearly identical to captivate, 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 captivate?

While the synonyms fascinate and captivate are close in meaning, 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 captivate Netflix's latest Trainwreck documentary revisits the controversial Balloon Boy saga that captivated the nation. —EW.com, 15 July 2025 Priestley was perfectly cast as Doherty's on-screen twin — the two share the same piercing light eyes and captivating gaze. —Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 13 July 2025 Google searches for beef Wellington recipes have soared in Australia over the last few months, as the trial captivated the country. —David Mac Dougall, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025 This feature-length film places the iconic DC superhero against the backdrop of the captivating history of Mexico and immerses fans around the world in the exciting culture of Mesoamerica. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
  1. fascinate
  2. entice
  3. enchant
  4. charm
  5. delight
  6. seduce
Verb
  • Highball fascinates with its cozy, yet brooding ambience and complex, clean cocktails.
    — Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • These elephants fascinate zoologists for their ability to handle the harsh weather conditions in the area, including strong, ice-cold winds and alternating droughts and heavy rains.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of fascinate
Verb
  • For six months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the table.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2025
  • Culinary delight often begins with a visual feast that entices people to indulge in delicious flavors.
    — Molly Peck, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Definition of entice
Verb
  • Insider tip: Step into a fairytale at 12th-century Thun Castle, then wander Thun’s enchanting Old Town and lakeside Schadau Park—home to a Gothic Revival castle that’s a national treasure.
    — AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 18 July 2025
  • Over 3,000 Amazon reviewers give this enchanting light setup five stars for its IP65 waterproof rating, radiance, and affordability.
    — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2025
Definition of enchant
Verb
  • In a performance pulsating with a rejuvenated energy, Detroit R&B star Kem charmed a capacity crowd Friday night at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre to open a two-night homecoming stand.
    — Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
  • The nutty richness of the sherry is immediately apparent, sweetened and charmed by the orgeat, and the sherry as much as anything is what sets the Fog Cutter apart.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
Definition of charm
Verb
  • Every year, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale delights shoppers with its unbeatable selection of stylish and well-made apparel, and this year is no exception.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2025
  • Haze: Filled with pineapple flavor, this hazy beer delights the senses with vibrant tropical fruit notes from its hop blend and natural pineapple puree.
    — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025
Definition of delight
Verb
  • After the show's season 27 premiere included a scene in which Trump, who was depicted twice with small genitals, attempted to seduce Satan in his bedroom at the White House, members of the president's team released a statement to EW criticizing South Park.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 30 July 2025
  • Following a near two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the premiere episode shows a naked Trump trying to seduce Satan, and came a day after the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had reached a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount.
    — Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of seduce

Browse Nearby Words

captiousness
captivate
captivated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of captivate for Spanish Speakers

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