as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract
a captivating performance by the young singing sensation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic
the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivating
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
There are people like that out there, and their stories that are very captivating, but this is actually a little bit creepier to me.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Jessica Hullinger, theweek, 27 Nov. 2024
As the star of Prime Video’s captivating new series, the actress explains how authenticity drives the show’s success.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
Grand Tour is a little like these men and their machine: a deliberately ramshackle work made more captivating through its lack of conventional modes of propulsion and meaning.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
There are people like that out there, and their stories that are very captivating, but this is actually a little bit creepier to me.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
The rest of the weekend did not disappoint with captivating talks about the hunt for Earth's twin planet and how artificial intelligence is transforming astrophysics for the better.
—Jessica Hullinger, theweek, 27 Nov. 2024
As the star of Prime Video’s captivating new series, the actress explains how authenticity drives the show’s success.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
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Preserve & Grow Wealth with Risk-Focused Quality Portfolios For investors who want to pair defensive strategy with appealing returns, AEP is a smart choice.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Vara is an appealing narrator—smart, funny, honest, and a little neurotic.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Stuart’s prince is suave, worldly, world-weary, charismatic — every inch a prince, really.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
7 Apr. 2025
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The actor, who starred as wickedly charismatic blood-sucker Lestat opposite Brad Pitt’s brooding Louis in the moody film based on Anne Rice’s 1979 novel, shared a fond memory of his former costar during Paramount Pictures’ Thursday, April 3, presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.—
John Russell,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Understanding the critical nature of some of these components, the Federal Government has been enticing companies to bring more manufacturing home.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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This lure dangles just above its gaping jaws, enticing prey close enough to be devoured.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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There is this idea that top managers would like the job because there is so much talent, plus the style and brand of football are very attractive.—
The Totally Football Show,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, while sizable, have never had an NBA team and are likely less attractive options compared to San Diego.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Offstage, Summer lives in the Dallas Fort Worth area, sharing her home with her supportive husband, their charming daughter, her quirky brother, and her canine companions, Cricket, Loki, Adie and chinchilla, Princess Fluffy Pants.—
Hilary Tetenbaum,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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But behind the chocolate chips and charming branding was a visionary who defied the traditional mold of Black masculinity, one homemade batch at a time.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Long live the Eras Tour with our enchanting book Saunders' widest reach may have come through Eras Tour, but his entertainment resume extends beyond the record-breaking show.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Oliveira remembers the family’s chauffeur: recalling an enchanting ride home late at night, the filmmaker gets the twenty-first-century Porto to stand in, through the windows of an antique car, for the city of his youth.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Adult Tai was such a fascinating character in Season 1, and she’s been totally ruined in the following seasons.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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While Colorado itself hasn't had significant success, Deion has at least produced some fascinating NFL prospects.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Then on April 6, Venus will meet with Mars in a seductive trine, heightening your sensuality and receptivity with those around you.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The book revealed the emotional wreckage that lay just beneath the seductive, glittering surface of a certain sector of France’s progressive cultural élite.—
Leslie Camhi,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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