fascinate
verb
fas·ci·nate ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt 
fascinated; fascinating ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ
ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-
transitive verb
1
a
: to command the interest of : allure
was fascinated by carnivals
The kids were fascinated with their new toy.
b
: to transfix (see transfix sense 1) and hold spellbound by an irresistible power
believed that the serpent could fascinate its prey
2
obsolete : bewitch
intransitive verb
: to be irresistibly attractive
the novel's flamboyant cover fascinates
Synonyms
- allure
- beguile
- bewitch
- captivate
- charm
- enchant
- kill
- magnetize
- wile
- witch [archaic]
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a question that fascinates both biologists and anthropologists Her paintings never fail to fascinate.
Recent Examples on the Web Four years later, the story’s theme of overcoming great odds continues to fascinate filmmakers and audiences. 
Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 One of the many aspects of the franchise which continues to fascinate viewers is its setting. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 As an overview of a fascinating career, this book concisely shows how, despite technological leaps such as the space race, human character is what will always fascinate us most. Francis French Washington Post, Star Tribune, 7 Dec. 2020 The mystery surrounding its purpose and origin continues to fascinate scientists and enthusiasts alike to this day. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 June 2022 As an overview of a fascinating career, this book concisely shows how, despite technological leaps such as the space race, human character is what will always fascinate us most. Francis French Washington Post, Star Tribune, 7 Dec. 2020 The constant tap into the information firehose means that Gen Z kids know something about a lot of niches of culture, or have gone super deep on a few specific topics that deeply fascinate them. David Bloom, Forbes, 25 June 2022 People fascinate me, but my lens wasn't set on that. Adam Rathe, Town & Country, 24 June 2022 For all that we may be getting fed up with the hijinks of billionaires trying to use their fortunes to get their way in business and government, the lifestyles of the rich and famous still have the power to fascinate and shock. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 See More
Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 One of the many aspects of the franchise which continues to fascinate viewers is its setting. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 As an overview of a fascinating career, this book concisely shows how, despite technological leaps such as the space race, human character is what will always fascinate us most. Francis French Washington Post, Star Tribune, 7 Dec. 2020 The mystery surrounding its purpose and origin continues to fascinate scientists and enthusiasts alike to this day. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 June 2022 As an overview of a fascinating career, this book concisely shows how, despite technological leaps such as the space race, human character is what will always fascinate us most. Francis French Washington Post, Star Tribune, 7 Dec. 2020 The constant tap into the information firehose means that Gen Z kids know something about a lot of niches of culture, or have gone super deep on a few specific topics that deeply fascinate them. David Bloom, Forbes, 25 June 2022 People fascinate me, but my lens wasn't set on that. Adam Rathe, Town & Country, 24 June 2022 For all that we may be getting fed up with the hijinks of billionaires trying to use their fortunes to get their way in business and government, the lifestyles of the rich and famous still have the power to fascinate and shock. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin fascinatus, past participle of fascinare, from fascinum evil spell
First Known Use
1591, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b
Kids Definition
fascinate
verb
fas·ci·nate ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt
fascinated; fascinating
1
: to seize and hold the attention of
2
: to attract greatly
fascinates
verb
1
as in entices
to attract or delight as if by magic for years the zoo's family of giant pandas have fascinated visitors Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- entices
- captivates
- intrigues
- enchants
- delights
- seduces
- charms
- bewitches
- interests
- pleases
- allures
- beguiles
- tempts
- magnetizes
- lures
- kills
- draws
- wiles
- witches
- enthralls
- enraptures
- pulls
- gratifies
- disarms
- enthrals
- woos
- beckons
- invites
- entrances
- arrests
- courts
- solicits
- appeals (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- offends
- disgusts
- repels
- annoys
- displeases
- bores
- irks
- revolts
- wearies
- tires
2
as in enchants
to hold the attention of as if by a spell I can gaze at the sea for hours, fascinated by the never-ending waves crashing upon the shore Synonyms & Similar Words
- enchants
- mesmerizes
- thrills
- grips
- enthralls
- hypnotizes
- enthrals
- spellbinds
- arrests
- bedazzles
- enraptures
- involves
- engages
- bewitches
- beguiles
- engrosses
- catches up
- charms
- entrances
- absorbs
3
as in intrigues
to hold the attention of the subject of artificial intelligence fascinates me Synonyms & Similar Words
- intrigues
- interests
- immerses
- occupies
- attracts
- involves
- enthralls
- engrosses
- bemuses
- enthrals
- grips
- busies
- engages
- preoccupies
- enchants
- captivates
- distracts
- absorbs
- obsesses
- mesmerizes
- enwraps
- bewitches
- allures
- beguiles
- hypnotizes
- charms
- catches one's eye
- catches up
- monopolizes
- hogs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bores
- wearies
- palls
- tires
- jades