: charmingly or irresistibly appealing
a captivating aroma
It's an utterly exotic combination of flavors, and a completely captivating one. Howard Seftel
Books with captivating stories and bright, uncomplicated artwork will enchant the very young without being too demanding. Ed Zotti
A captivating storyteller, he conveys the cozy domesticity of the small-time growers as well as the Technicolor style of life of the big deal-makers. Alison Friesinger
captivatingly adverb
a captivatingly sweet voice
Each room is named for a month, and January through December are captivatingly filled with fanciful hearts, flowers, and vines that trail over the beds, chests, and wardrobes. Mimi Elder

Examples of captivating in a Sentence

a captivating performance by the young singing sensation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Not to mention, Deion Sanders is the head coach of Colorado and has rebuilt the program into one of the most captivating in the nation. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 29 Dec. 2024 As Rose’s daughters, Joy Woods and Jordan Tyson are equally captivating. Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024 This has been a phenomenal year for Black television creators, bringing us some of the most captivating, funny, and thought-provoking series across every genre. Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Dec. 2024 While the song alone is captivating, the music video is equally invigorating. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for captivating 

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivating was in 1675

Dictionary Entries Near captivating

Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivating. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on captivating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!