ENCHANT Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'enchant' different from other verbs like it?

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

Q: Where would 'allure' be a reasonable alternative to 'enchant'?

The synonyms allure and enchant are sometimes interchangeable, but allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive. // an alluring smile

Q: When is 'attract' a more appropriate choice than 'enchant'?

The meanings of attract and enchant largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another. // students attracted by the school's locale

Q: How do 'charm' and 'captivate' relate to one another, in the sense of 'enchant'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'fascinate' take the place of 'enchant'?

The words fascinate and enchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist. // a story that continues to fascinate children

enchant

verb

in-ˈchant

Definition of enchant next

as in to fascinate

to attract or delight as if by magic the child actress enchanted audiences with her bubbly personality

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to possess

to cast a spell on out of spite, the jealous queen enchanted her chief rival for the title of the fairest one of all

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bless

as in to hypnotize

to hold the attention of as if by a spell the tales about the young wizard have enchanted children around the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

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

Where would allure be a reasonable alternative to enchant?

The synonyms allure and enchant are sometimes interchangeable, but allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When is attract a more appropriate choice than enchant?

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

students attracted by the school's locale

How do charm and captivate relate to one another, in the sense of enchant?

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

In what contexts can fascinate take the place of enchant?

The words fascinate and enchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 enchant Everyone was enchanted by the idea of Nicole as a pro wrestler. —

Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 Designer Michael Rider knows that his job is not to tantalize the world with his ego, a tendency that has brought us countless collections of oversized, lumpy garments that are unrealistic for people to wear, but to enchant them with terrific clothes. —

Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026 The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred. —

Danielle Parker, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026 Irvi was enchanted and unnerved by Oaxaca’s clear blue skies, unmarred by skyscrapers. —

Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enchant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant

Verb

Precious artifacts have been recently unearthed from the site that fascinates scholars worldwide.

— Sharon Chin, CBS News, 1 May 2026
We were fascinated by a broader trend — covered locally by the Chicago Sun-Times and nationally by outlets including CNBC and The New York Times — of people turning the humble 1040 into a form of civil disobedience.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Browse Nearby Words

enchains

enchant

enchanted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of enchant

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on enchant

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

augur

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

The Words of the Week - May 1

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Games & Quizzes