as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic
the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in appeal
the power of irresistible attraction
by some mysterious method of captivation, the therapist is able to evoke a response from even the shiest of children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of captivate
Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Social media users were captivated by the bond between Rosie and Kara.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
But what really captivated me and my mom was the wallpaper.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2025
Ever since Taylor Swift appeared at the Sept. 24, 2023, football game at Arrowhead Stadium, fans of the singer-songwriter have been captivated by her romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for captivate 
Verb
Flagship titles such as Stranger Things, The Crown, Squid Game, and The Irishman have captivated global audiences.
—Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Social media users were captivated by the bond between Rosie and Kara.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
But what really captivated me and my mom was the wallpaper.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2025
Ever since Taylor Swift appeared at the Sept. 24, 2023, football game at Arrowhead Stadium, fans of the singer-songwriter have been captivated by her romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for captivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivate
Verb
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Tissot was particularly fascinated by the mores and materialism of high society.—
Brigit Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 Jan. 2025
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She was fascinated by it because there was stuff from her mother — my daughter.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Films has, obviously, helped popularize the appeal of scare-mongering movies.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
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In times of intensifying economic inequality, when many of the jobs on offer are precarious, underpaid, and spiritually deadening, the prospect of becoming your own boss holds a lot of appeal.—
Anna Wiener,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Trump’s firing of pro-labor Abruzzo and Wilcox is rumored to entice Amazon and SpaceX to challenge the constitutionality of the NLRB at the Supreme Court.—
Elaine Mallon,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Jan. 2025
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As with many scams, the message contains a kernel of truth—enough to entice taxpayers to click.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Conspiracy Theories Surrounding The JFK Files Kennedy's assassination and the government's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing him are the subject of enduring fascination among journalists, politicians and members of the public.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
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At the heart of Aamir’s delicate porcelain sculptures lies a fascination with how nature constructs something atom by atom or cell by cell.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This enchanting one-mile illuminated trail takes you on a nighttime journey through the forest.—
Sandra MacGregor,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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The masque, performed by gentle spirits, enchants the betrothed.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In one viral moment from 2019, Stephen Curry’s then 2-year-old daughter charmed the entire NBA viewing audience while sitting on her dad’s lap during a press conference.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
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The film is a fish-out-of-water caper, as two exotic art weirdos attempt to charm ranchers and perplexed local officials.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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With our family of five, admission to sights and attractions can get expensive quickly.—
Linnea Bailey,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
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In Greek mythology, Adonis is the god of beauty and attraction.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Following the birth of Patrick and Brittany Mahomes’ daughter, Golden Raye, last Sunday, Randi Mahomes delighted fans with a post on Instagram following the blessed event.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 Jan. 2025
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There is an argument that Alexander-Arnold is just a 21st-century version of Glenn Hoddle, a midfield playmaker who both delighted and baffled the country in the 1980s.—
Rory Smith,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near captivate
Cite this Entry
“Captivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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