as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
an enthralling account of life in the scientific community in Antarctica
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fascinating
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
2
as in entrancing
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 intriguing
to hold the attention of
a play that will enthrall you for two hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of enthralling
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man ever to complete a career grand slam on Sunday, adding the Australian Open title to his trophy cabinet after defeating Novak Djokovic in an enthralling men’s final.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Even without that context, though, Night of the Living Dead operates as an enthralling horror movie in and of itself.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Their great taste whispers, never overwhelming those around them, but rather enthralling.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Hearing the strains of Williams’ transcendent composition is a reminder of Felder’s own desires for flight, allowing audiences around the world to be transported by his grand piano, some magnificent music and enthralling stories.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
With miles of sprawling, sandy deserts, magnificent architecture, and rich culture, Abu Dhabi is an enthralling city.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
The themes here are classically Bourgeoisian—human interdependence and the difficulty of uncoupling—but the contrast of austere kineticism with raw emotion is unusual and enthralling.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
But there is no question that the league still produces some of the most competitive and enthralling games in the sport on a nightly basis.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Journalist Sebastian Junger has spent the last three decades enthralling audiences with his long-form investigative magazine stories, best-selling books, and documentary films.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
She was poised, her speech impeccable, enthralling her audience with peeks at her life and her earlier visit to the lab.
—Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The answer is no, and while Spurs are arguably putting forth the most enthralling case, Sunday was a critical reminder that work remains to be done.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man ever to complete a career grand slam on Sunday, adding the Australian Open title to his trophy cabinet after defeating Novak Djokovic in an enthralling men’s final.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Even without that context, though, Night of the Living Dead operates as an enthralling horror movie in and of itself.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Their great taste whispers, never overwhelming those around them, but rather enthralling.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Hearing the strains of Williams’ transcendent composition is a reminder of Felder’s own desires for flight, allowing audiences around the world to be transported by his grand piano, some magnificent music and enthralling stories.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
With miles of sprawling, sandy deserts, magnificent architecture, and rich culture, Abu Dhabi is an enthralling city.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
The themes here are classically Bourgeoisian—human interdependence and the difficulty of uncoupling—but the contrast of austere kineticism with raw emotion is unusual and enthralling.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
But there is no question that the league still produces some of the most competitive and enthralling games in the sport on a nightly basis.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Fernando Frias’s enthralling concert film intercuts the band’s performances as seen from all sorts of angles, creating an almost democratic variation on the typical rock doc.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Journalist Sebastian Junger has spent the last three decades enthralling audiences with his long-form investigative magazine stories, best-selling books, and documentary films.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
She was poised, her speech impeccable, enthralling her audience with peeks at her life and her earlier visit to the lab.
—Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enthralling
Adjective
-
And Riera — who has arrived from NK Celje in Slovenia — is an interesting person.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
What’s interesting is the NBA has moved away from some events that either have become stale or manipulated, such as the skills competition giving way at next week’s All-Star Weekend.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Filled with gorgeous, entrancing cinematography, this true story of an unlikely friendship inspires wonder about the natural world and our place in it.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
-
But photos and videos released by the musical’s makers on its opening night Saturday have finally revealed exactly how the creative team managed to create a believable bear capable of entrancing an audience.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
-
New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These small pets’ active and engaging behavior, from zipping around the tank and finding places to hide in solo play to following movement outside the tank in interactive play, can keep a kid’s attention.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hadi tells an engaging story, brings complex and surprising characters to life, lends a locale an aesthetic iconography, and renders personal identity inextricable from the forces of history that shaped or deformed it.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tucked at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe’s remarkable high desert landscapes and enchanting golden light feel almost otherworldly.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
-
At times, partners may have had a special mystique, enchanting you with their powers that may have sucked you in — for the better — or instead, like an addiction.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And no matter how formal or casual the gathering, every host is always looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer to start the party.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Ted Cruz certainly doesn’t care about pleasing everyone, and Billie Eilish and a whole bunch of musicians now clearly don’t either.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But Carew’s main objective is to continue immersing himself ever deeper into his new craft.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The new installment promises challenges across diverse locations, from navigating the Angolan desert in track vehicles to immersing in Malaysia’s automotive scene and testing American performance cars in California.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enthralling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enthralling. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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