captivate
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- allure
- beguile
- bewitch
- charm
- enchant
- fascinate
- kill
- magnetize
- wile
- witch [archaic]
Example Sentences
Isaac Fitzgerald, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2022 Sometimes, a seemingly simple question can captivate the entire Internet. Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 Action sports have a wow factor and the ability to captivate an audience effectively, providing the underpinnings for growth, said David Hirschfeld, Fiume’s chief investment officer. Maria Armental, WSJ, 19 July 2022 The festival’s promoter, Goldenvoice, has made concerted efforts to captivate Latino audiences in recent years. Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2022 North Beach Just over the Harbor Bridge from downtown Corpus Christi, North Beach will captivate the whole family with its terrific attractions. Robin Soslow, Chron, 3 May 2022 College football and its national championship always will captivate the South. Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 13 May 2022 Finally, as is fitting for a totemic figure in the world of entertainment whose blockbusters continue to captivate millions to this day, the family signed off on a note of optimism. Vogue, 30 Mar. 2022 With its ease of access and potential of exploitation, expect more TV series to use podcast source material with in-depth stories to captivate their audiences and keep them engrossed in the universe. Josh Wilson, Forbes, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
see captive entry 1
circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
captivate
verb
captivate
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- fascinate
- entice
- enchant
- delight
- seduce
- charm
- bewitch
- beguile
- interest
- intrigue
- magnetize
- tempt
- lure
- please
- kill
- allure
- wile
- draw
- witch
- enrapture
- enthrall
- pull
- gratify
- enthral
- disarm
- woo
- beckon
- invite
- entrance
- arrest
- court
- solicit
- appeal (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- offend
- repel
- revolt
- annoy
- bore
- disgust
- irk
- weary
- displease
- tire
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of captivate are allure, attract, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.
In some situations, the words allure and captivate are roughly equivalent. However, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.
The meanings of attract and captivate largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.
While in some cases nearly identical to captivate, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.
While the synonyms fascinate and captivate are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.