as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic
the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in appeal
the power of irresistible attraction
by some mysterious method of captivation, the therapist is able to evoke a response from even the shiest of children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivate
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
Verb
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
Verb
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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
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Highball fascinates with its cozy, yet brooding ambience and complex, clean cocktails.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Despite Chinese foldables being clearly superior the past few years, various factors (some out of their control) have prevented Chinese foldables from reaching mainstream appeal.—
Ben Sin,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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The stakes in these emergency appeals of district court matters are enormous.—
Erwin Chemerinsky,
Twin Cities,
25 July 2025
Verb
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For six months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the table.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
-
Won’t tip too much of the good stuff, but there’s a depth of feeling here that’s bigger even than the one-handed no-no that enticed producer-director Mike Farrell to pursue the project in the first place.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
Noun
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As with many sweeping arguments, the fascination lies in the details.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
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But the dual Democrat-Republican fascination with The Epstein Files also testifies to a truth Hollywood has forever known: a love of conspiracy stories tugs at us all.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
19 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
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The source noted that philanthropy is part of their mutual attraction.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
25 July 2025
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Other recent theme park incidents that made headlines include a backstage fire at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida, and riders who jumped off of a raft ride after becoming stuck on the attraction at Six Flags Over Texas in June 2024.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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