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
Example 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
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
Corenswet’s funny, scrappy rapport with Rachel Brosnahan’s whip-smart Lois Lane — possibly the sharpest and most captivating interpretation of the ace Daily Planet reporter since Margot Kidder — makes their every scene together a delight.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025
Oscar-winning actors embody roles in an authentic way, captivating audiences and serving stories that transcend their selves.
—Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
The end result is the slow-moving yet captivating fourth episode of Season Four.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
Corenswet’s funny, scrappy rapport with Rachel Brosnahan’s whip-smart Lois Lane — possibly the sharpest and most captivating interpretation of the ace Daily Planet reporter since Margot Kidder — makes their every scene together a delight.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Verb
Few shows are as visually alluring and simultaneously captivating in their storytelling as The White Lotus.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025
Oscar-winning actors embody roles in an authentic way, captivating audiences and serving stories that transcend their selves.
—Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
-
In fact, on the whole the backup quarterback market might not have been very appealing among players such as Joshua Dobbs (New England), Jacoby Brissett (Arizona) and Mac Jones (San Francisco).—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
15 July 2025
-
Regular yard maintenance can help create a yard that’s not very appealing to them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
He was best known for his over-the-top showmanship, having adapted a charismatic, all-American persona that helped bring professional wrestling to the mainstream.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 July 2025
-
The first panel featured a bilingual conversation between Straw Hat Goofy, a U.S.-based anime creator known for his charismatic anime commentary and film reviews, and Shinnosuke, a creator from Japan known for introducing films, television dramas, and anime.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Nearly all bird species feed their young insects, so planting native greenery that attracts bugs can be enticing to hummingbirds.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Experts say the falling rate could thaw the largely frozen housing market by enticing buyers off the sidelines.—
Kevin Williams,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Berkshire Hathaway is underperforming after Buffett's exit news, now trails the S&P 500 This is one of the most attractive opportunities for income, Vanguard says.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
25 July 2025
-
Research analyzing millions of profiles reveals that both men and women often pursue partners who are estimated to be about 25% more attractive than themselves, despite these advances yielding fewer responses.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Deep in the heart of Bakewell’s cobbled town square stands The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, inside a charming 17th-century stone building, once owned by the Duke of Rutland.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Switching between her college days in 1999 and the present day, the novel tracks Cora’s pull to two men, charming Lincoln and sensitive Aaron.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Vistas stretch on for miles in every direction, but peeking into Cerro Negro itself, less than 200 years old and still belching streams of gas and smoke, is arguably just as enchanting.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
-
Yet every wine lover who has spent time on the French Riviera has memories of an enchanting luncheon while overlooking the sea, smelling the flowers and sipping on a cold Provençal wine.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
21 July 2025
-
Hydrothermal vents are among the most fascinating and unusual environments on Earth.—
James F. Holden,
The Conversation,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Lop off the tops and bottoms of giant heirloom tomatoes like Cherokee Purples or Red Zebras endowed with divine characteristics through fine lineage, including a gorgeous ugliness, striking Technicolors, patterns, and a seductive sweetness.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 July 2025
-
Its power rests in Benicio del Toro as the shady international businessman Anatole Korda, a sly, seductive operator who is trying to firm up his many enterprises and bequeath them to his daughter, Liesl, played marvelously by Mia Threapleton.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share