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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivating
Bob Blaisdell, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
But in her book — part memoir, part science journalism — Johnston makes a captivating case for why strength training can offer so much more.
—Mara Gordon, NPR, 8 May 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
In some of the biography’s most captivating pages, for example, Delisle mimics Muybridge’s ingenious in-motion photographs.
—Bob Blaisdell, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
But in her book — part memoir, part science journalism — Johnston makes a captivating case for why strength training can offer so much more.
—Mara Gordon, NPR, 8 May 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
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When talent is scarce and jobs are widely available, employees can make a wish list while organizations compete for the best candidate with the most appealing perks.—
Lieke ten Brummelhuis,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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If those two subjects are a bit heavy for your summer tastes — the books weigh in at 880 and 1,200 pages, respectively — then another recent release might be more appealing.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Producers envisioned the charismatic (and a little big dangerous) Morgan as the perfect master of ceremonies for the American adaptation of the franchise.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
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The World's Most Acclaimed Dissident Filmmaker Denzel Washington stars as David King, a charismatic and powerful music mogul in the midst of a high-stakes corporate power struggle when his son is seemingly kidnapped.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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People in these jobs generally manage the practical logistics of trying to create workplaces that are more welcoming for all employees — and more attractive to a broader pool of qualified candidates.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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This off-season, the Parks Department even made an effort to spruce up its lifeguard stations, repainting and adding amenities like fridges and microwaves, to make the job more attractive and comfortable.—
Alyce McFadden,
New York Times,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Called the Grand Ole Opry Camel Caravan, the troupe appeared exclusively for military members at bases throughout the U.S. and Central America during the summer of 1941, charming soldiers with toe-tapping hillbilly music and comedy from Minnie Pearl.—
Lindsay Kusiak,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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With charming Old-World looks trending across fashion and interiors, this prediction comes as no surprise.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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To them, the big city is as enchanting and mysterious as their father, whose absence in their life has stung both parent and child.—
Thomas Page,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
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Few other places can feel both enchanting and grounding.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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There's a fascinating set of new patches Chinese officials released for a series of launches with top-secret satellites over the last two months, Ars reports.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
23 May 2025
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Seeing it through someone else’s eyes must be fascinating.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Honey strikes up an affair with an unassumingly seductive cop who goes by MG (Aubrey Plaza), all the while Honey’s niece (Talia Ryder) gets into some trouble with a bad boyfriend and Honey’s sister (Kristen Connolly) is too busy with too many children to deal with that.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
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As your celestial ruler, Mars, dances with romantic Venus in a fiery trine, this seductive synergy activates your sign and fifth house of love and self-expression.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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