as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract
a captivating performance by the young singing sensation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of captivating
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
The original and captivating effervescence of filmic arthropods drew its strength from the events and aftermath of World War II.
—Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024
The phenomenon has attracted busloads of tourists who take pictures of cuddly-looking sea lions and post them on social media, captivating a large online audience that has rushed to the defense of the mammals.
—Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for captivating 
Adjective
Held along the river Saryu, the event saw thousands of volunteers illuminate the city in a captivating display that stretched across almost one mile, setting a new Guinness World Record and surpassing last year's total of 2.2 million lamps.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
The original and captivating effervescence of filmic arthropods drew its strength from the events and aftermath of World War II.
—Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
In the bustling landscape of Indian television, reality shows have carved out a significant niche, captivating audiences with a mix of international adaptations and homegrown formats.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024
The phenomenon has attracted busloads of tourists who take pictures of cuddly-looking sea lions and post them on social media, captivating a large online audience that has rushed to the defense of the mammals.
—Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
-
There is consensus among investors that a single English language word boosts your chances of receiving funding, which makes a .ai domain all the more appealing, as there’s more single-word availability under this extension.Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Schur’s new series, the Netflix comedy A Man on the Inside, reunites him with Good Place co-star Ted Danson, and approaches many of the same ideas in a very different, but still hugely appealing way.Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Musawi’s assassination led to the rise of the more charismatic Nasrallah.Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
-
Engage in rhetoric that’s challenging, charismatic and caring.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
This approach ensures a mood that complements each casino’s unique ambiance, engages the clientele and enhances their experience, enticing them to remain on the property longer and spend more.Nathan Green, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2024
-
These waterproof shoes come with a laundry list of enticing features, the first being a special Vibram Ecostep Recycle outsole, which provides grip on wet and dry surfaces.Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
This is one reason leeward ridges are so attractive to deer.Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 22 Nov. 2024
-
The cartoon game will run on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+, the latest attempt by ESPN to devise new sports formats that are more attractive to young children and their families, perhaps, than the real thing.Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Getty Stockholm, Sweden (AQI: 20) Go for: The charming Stockholm Archipelago with over 14 islands, and the historic Gamla Stan, with its cobblestone streets and colorful buildings.Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
-
The restaurant, which is also an inn, is situated in Luce, a charming village perched along the crystalline Savinja River.Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
That’s because what’s up onscreen is absolutely enchanting, a big-screen musical extravaganza that whisks you away from everyday cares, and belts it out at all the appropriate times.Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
-
The amusement park transforms into an enchanting holiday wonderland with more than seven million lights.Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
If so, that would be fascinating, though perhaps not surprising.Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
-
For a fascinating lesson in cheesemaking, book a visit to one of Parma’s dairies to learn how authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano is produced.Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
James Woods stars as a sleazy TV executive in search of the ultimate ratings grab, alongside Blondie's Debbie Harry as the seductive hostess of the titular broadcast.Katie Rife, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024
-
Other looks shown on female models felt like seductive gestures, such as sheer minidresses with falling spaghetti straps.Jasper Brown, WWD, 28 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near captivating
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share