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
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
Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The story of brave British men and women defending the hillfort from the Roman Conquest is one that has captivated and inspired millions.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2025
In a video that has captivated millions on social media, a 2-year-old border collie mix rescue wasted no time to bond with her new owner, who had just adopted her from a local shelter to give her the life she's always dreamed of.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
But one thing's for sure: these moms continue to captivate.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Verb
Homer history The college game’s first brush with the outer limits of recognizable baseball came in 1998, the same year the pursuit of the MLB single-season home run record captivated the big leagues.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The story of brave British men and women defending the hillfort from the Roman Conquest is one that has captivated and inspired millions.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2025
In a video that has captivated millions on social media, a 2-year-old border collie mix rescue wasted no time to bond with her new owner, who had just adopted her from a local shelter to give her the life she's always dreamed of.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
But one thing's for sure: these moms continue to captivate.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
Verb
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There is something magical about a firefly that fascinates young and old alike.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 June 2025
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Reddit users were fascinated by the strange-but-smart hospitality hack, with one even inspired to turn it into a trivia question.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Noun
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The court's conservative majority sided with the Trump administration in the first Supreme Court appeals involving DOGE.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
-
So far, after a historically low year in 2024, appeals and phone calls are up, according to the office.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Working in recognizable horror subgenres, Byrne entices you with a familiar premise and then slowly teases apart the tropes, leaving you unsettled but also invigorated by his inventiveness.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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This wine entices with blackberry, plum, allspice and vanilla with smooth tannins and a bright acidity.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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At a time when Cold War tensions heightened curiosity and suspicion about all things Soviet, American consumers flocked to the new vodka as an edgy, exotic choice—drinking vodka became simultaneously an act of defiance and fascination.—
Time,
Time,
4 June 2025
-
This experimental approach is characteristic of Ulvaeus’s career-long fascination with technological innovation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The company’s video game mantra since its Nintendo Entertainment System days has been to show gaming and play as a medium full of possibilities, using world-building, competition and puzzles to enchant.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
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The valley's waterfalls, trails, and mountain views continue to enchant even during the off-season.—
Carlsen Jes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
Verb
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After charming the world as one of sports’ favorite couples, thanks to their prowess on the track, their unwavering support of each other, and their TikTok-worthy dance moves, Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and Jamaican Olympic bronze medalist Junelle Bromfield are getting married.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
3 June 2025
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New restaurants rarely deliver as much historic character and charm as this one. 6.—
Eleanor Aldridge,
AFAR Media,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Disney California Adventure Park’s Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! attraction, based on the beloved Disney and Pixar film, will close to make room for the park's upcoming Avatar destination.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Things won’t always have the sizzle and spark of your early attraction.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Two decades later, the street anthem is once again delighting music fans, though through a relatively unlikely conduit: a TikTok meme about dating gaffes.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
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For as long as hungry birds have swooped from the saloon’s leafy branches to stalk diners’ steak fries, Le Tub, the kitschy-divey national treasure on Hollywood’s Intracoastal Waterway, has delighted and polarized locals with tacky decor and huge hamburgers.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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