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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivate
And that's why this year is the prime time to visit some of the European nation’s most iconic cities, which continue to captivate travelers with world-class art, history, cuisine, and naturally, some fantastic hotels.
—
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
The case captivated Australia, with several podcasts chronicling the two-month trial and reporters descending on the small town of Morwell, where proceedings were held.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
But for those of us who’ve been captivated by the maritime saga since first learning to read, the Grand Staircase feels almost sacred — imagined so often and so vividly that standing here feels strangely natural.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Workers spent three hours on the 1.3-mile move from Shady Brook Drive to 619 S. Church St.
People lined the sidewalks, captivated by the sight of the historic home being carefully transported.
—Paris Goodman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
The case captivated Australia, with several podcasts chronicling the two-month trial and reporters descending on the small town of Morwell, where proceedings were held.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
But for those of us who’ve been captivated by the maritime saga since first learning to read, the Grand Staircase feels almost sacred — imagined so often and so vividly that standing here feels strangely natural.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Workers spent three hours on the 1.3-mile move from Shady Brook Drive to 619 S. Church St.
People lined the sidewalks, captivated by the sight of the historic home being carefully transported.
—Paris Goodman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
Verb
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Long fascinated by the moa, Jackson and Walsh have been collecting bones of the extinct bird for years.—
Degen Pener,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
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Michael Karin has long been fascinated by what happens when inflammation — ideally a short-term burst of biological activity to promote healing or fight infection — turns chronic and potentially deadly.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 July 2025
Verb
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For six months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the table.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
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Culinary delight often begins with a visual feast that entices people to indulge in delicious flavors.—
Molly Peck,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
Verb
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In this enchanting new adventure, Princess Tiana brings her whole community together for a spectacular parade.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
11 July 2025
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Here's to the tracks with enchanting bridges, haunting vocals and vault tracks have felt like secret letters.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
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On July 4, your celestial ruler, Venus, entered the sparkly and witty sign of Gemini, charming your ninth house of experience and self-discovery.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Thus far, the administration has managed to fend off initial court challenges, maintain arrests at a steady clip, and generate images of a ruthless crackdown in a liberal bastion that delight the president’s supporters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
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Jackson had been delighted by the number of young people who had turned out, a perennial goal for august cultural institutions.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
10 July 2025
Verb
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But what really seduced me was the transgressive idea of imagining who else lives inside each of us.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
19 June 2025
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Teenagers and their parents can be easily seduced, so Underwood is respected for his role in keeping those players at Thorp Arch.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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