as in riveting
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Dissimilar Words
as in enchantment
Related Words
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
the tale about pirates and their buried treasure had completely spellbound the children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spellbinding
Claudia Roth Pierpont, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Take a spellbinding stroll through the Forbidden Forest Ready your wand for an unforgettable walk through the infamous dark woodland from the Harry Potter franchise.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Nov. 2025
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After seeing other bakers promote their bakeries and cake decorating skills on social media through different creative video series, Alexis Oltmanns, the head cake decorator at Sugarjones in Loves Park, decided to do the same with her own spellbinding spin on the trend.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The surroundings were bland, but the conversation with Cheney was spellbinding.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Adjective
Come for the corrupt politicians boiling in pitch; stay for the poetry and the spellbinding stories.
—Claudia Roth Pierpont, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Take a spellbinding stroll through the Forbidden Forest Ready your wand for an unforgettable walk through the infamous dark woodland from the Harry Potter franchise.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Nov. 2025
Noun
The outlines of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 are already seared into the American psyche, but this spellbinding book adds fascinating texture and provides a salutary warning for policymakers today.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After seeing other bakers promote their bakeries and cake decorating skills on social media through different creative video series, Alexis Oltmanns, the head cake decorator at Sugarjones in Loves Park, decided to do the same with her own spellbinding spin on the trend.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
With all of the wholesomeness of a Bronx drill Cocomelon, Ice delivers lines cleverly adapted to the cartoon series (with no curse words) in her signature, spellbinding cadence.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The surroundings were bland, but the conversation with Cheney was spellbinding.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spellbinding
Adjective
-
This was equal parts riveting and terrifying.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Netflix is one of the better streamers for reality TV, hosting hundreds of hours for your binging pleasure, from messy dating shows to riveting game show competitions.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bagehot and other upholders of depoliticizing enchantments could not have imagined a scenario in which Andrew, once second in line for the throne, and Larry Summers, a former Ivy League president hailed as one of America’s leading public intellectuals, are caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Adding to the enchantment, the path of totality passes over Luxor, Egypt, home to some of the world’s greatest ancient treasures.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
Adjective
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Universal wrapped the coaster cars in a hypnotic geometric black-and-white zebra design to obscure the ride vehicles.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Other artists of this era sought to intervene, guerrilla style, in the apparatuses of advertising, in order to shake consumers from their hypnotic slumber.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her work, then, is the work of resuscitation via bewitchment.—
Ocean Vuong,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
-
But if there is some kind of bewitchment going on in these encounters, Evelyn is entirely immune.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
19 Jan. 2025
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
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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
Adjective
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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
Noun
-
There is a quality of trance, of autohypnosis, in her style.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Spellbinding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spellbinding. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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