variants
or enthral
1
as in to fascinate
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
enthralled by the flickering fire in the hearth, we lost all track of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to delight
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight)
for years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to interest
to hold the attention of
a play that will enthrall you for two hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 enthrall
For several years now, The Rookie fans have been enthralled by the slow-burn romance between show’s most popular couple, Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), nickname Chenford.
—
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
The combination of Luka Doncic and LeBron James was overpowering and enthralling for all to see during the Lakers’ dynamic 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Wednesday.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Jane is a deeply unwell woman, enthralled by the lavish lives of the wealthy and consumed by the idealistic fairy tales of her childhood.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Inside the room of Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, there were plenty of enthralling moments that didn't make the cut or nearly went unnoticed.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enthrall
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
The combination of Luka Doncic and LeBron James was overpowering and enthralling for all to see during the Lakers’ dynamic 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Wednesday.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Jane is a deeply unwell woman, enthralled by the lavish lives of the wealthy and consumed by the idealistic fairy tales of her childhood.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Inside the room of Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, there were plenty of enthralling moments that didn't make the cut or nearly went unnoticed.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enthrall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enthrall
Verb
-
The cause of brain freeze fascinates neurologists and Slurpee lovers alike, and the science behind it is especially captivating.—
Julia Daye,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Despite being so vocal, Cudi still retains a mystique quality that fascinates fans.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The ball circled the rim twice before dropping on Friday night, delighting Duke and its fans and crushing LSU.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But this Central American country – a narrow isthmus stretching for 500 miles between Costa Rica (to the west) and Colombia (to the east) – offers far more to interest the curious traveller, said David Amsden in Condé Nast Traveller.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
29 Mar. 2026
-
If pepperoni doesn't interest some customers, King said Columbus-style goes beyond traditional toppings with more experimental options.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Indeed, few foreigners leave without being enraptured by a fascinating cultural tapestry which lives on in old-world architectural landmarks and century-spanning festivals.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Drawn by hand by Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli films visually stun and enrapture viewers.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He, of course, would be welcomed back and possesses a skill set that NBA teams are intrigued by.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Kohler said he was intrigued by the new study’s finding that methylphenidate can play a preventive role in younger children.—
David Cox,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bully feels custom-designed to please the diehards exhausted by his noxious antics.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This time around, under Rupert Goold’s actor-forward direction and with Guirgis’s distinctive voiciness, the story has more in common with the canine of its title — there’s a little more swagger, sweetness, and slobber, a little more desire to please.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Arab foreign ministers on Sunday appointed veteran Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy as the head of the 22-member Arab League, at a time the Middle East is immersed in a regional war that shows no sign of abating.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In 2022, when AD featured the Los Angeles residence of Emma Chamberlain, the wildly popular internet phenom was already immersing herself in the world of home decor, gaining confidence and inspiration from her work with the interiors firm Proem.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enthrall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enthrall. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
