fascinating
adjective
fas·ci·nat·ing ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ 
ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-
: extremely interesting or charming : captivating
a fascinating documentary
gave a fascinating account of the expedition
fascinatingly
ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ-lē
adverb ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-
Synonyms
- alluring
- appealing
- attractive
- bewitching
- captivating
- charismatic
- charming
- elfin
- enchanting
- engaging
- entrancing
- fetching
- glamorous
- glamourous
- luring
- magnetic
- seductive
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the fascinating cities and peoples of central Asia have been intriguing travelers at least since the time of Marco Polo the fascinating—but dubious—legend that Pocahontas rescued John Smith from certain death
Recent Examples on the Web Every year of his existence was fascinating, starting with the circumstances of his birth and then on. 
Addie Morfoot, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 No matter the reasoning, the discovery of J. kaniukura is fascinating. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 22 Aug. 2022 The twist—discovering about halfway through that Charlotte Hale (actually a spinoff of Dolores)—had created a world where the Hosts controlled the humans was fascinating and a great way to bring the story full circle. Erik Kain, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 For Chicago audiences, of course, these works in progress are always fascinating. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 What will be fascinating is Westbrook’s NBA worth next summer. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The detailed tales of South American drug lords, large-scale weed cultivation, fast boats, even faster cars (on and off the track), wild partying, and Miami real estate are fascinating. Brett Berk, Car and Driver, 30 July 2022 And Compass Pathways, as a company, is fascinating. Wired Staff, Wired, 28 July 2022 The spectacle is fascinating, in part because Heidi’s visual displays are beautiful, but also because this quirk of the octopus body makes visible a drama that might otherwise play out only internally. Camille Bromley, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022 See More
Addie Morfoot, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 No matter the reasoning, the discovery of J. kaniukura is fascinating. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 22 Aug. 2022 The twist—discovering about halfway through that Charlotte Hale (actually a spinoff of Dolores)—had created a world where the Hosts controlled the humans was fascinating and a great way to bring the story full circle. Erik Kain, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 For Chicago audiences, of course, these works in progress are always fascinating. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 What will be fascinating is Westbrook’s NBA worth next summer. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The detailed tales of South American drug lords, large-scale weed cultivation, fast boats, even faster cars (on and off the track), wild partying, and Miami real estate are fascinating. Brett Berk, Car and Driver, 30 July 2022 And Compass Pathways, as a company, is fascinating. Wired Staff, Wired, 28 July 2022 The spectacle is fascinating, in part because Heidi’s visual displays are beautiful, but also because this quirk of the octopus body makes visible a drama that might otherwise play out only internally. Camille Bromley, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see fascinate
First Known Use
1618, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
fascinating
adjective
fas·ci·nat·ing
ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ
: extremely interesting or charming
a fascinating story
fascinating 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract the fascinating cities and peoples of central Asia have been intriguing travelers at least since the time of Marco Polo Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- appealing
- charismatic
- attractive
- charming
- interesting
- enchanting
- seductive
- intriguing
- captivating
- exciting
- alluring
- entrancing
- bewitching
- engaging
- magnetic
- tempting
- glamourous
- glamorous
- enthralling
- luring
- riveting
- engrossing
- absorbing
- mesmerizing
- elfin
- hypnotic
- gripping
- delightful
- spellbinding
- fetching
- tantalizing
- haunting
- hypnotizing
- enticing
- pleasant
- pleasing
- arresting
- galvanic
- titillating
- inviting
- beckoning
- winning
- darling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- repulsive
- revolting
- repugnant
- tedious
- repellent
- boring
- irksome
- tiresome
- shocking
- appalling
- wearisome
- awful
- horrible
- distasteful
- sickening
- loathsome
- abhorrent
- hideous
- odious
- unalluring
- obnoxious
- abominable
- horrid
- nauseating
- repellant
- offensive
- horrendous
- invidious
- repelling
- dull
- monotonous
- noisome
- flat
- ponderous
- drab
- dreary
- humdrum
- pedestrian
- leaden
- jading
2
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest the fascinating—but dubious—legend that Pocahontas rescued John Smith from certain death Synonyms & Similar Words
- interesting
- intriguing
- engaging
- absorbing
- exciting
- provocative
- enthralling
- riveting
- engrossing
- gripping
- amazing
- inspiring
- entertaining
- amusing
- involving
- consuming
- arresting
- immersing
- thrilling
- unusual
- breathtaking
- enchanting
- exhilarating
- attractive
- tantalizing
- captivating
- charming
- striking
- astonishing
- mesmerizing
- wonderful
- electrifying
- alluring
- electric
- curious
- surprising
- stimulating
- spellbinding
- bewitching
- galvanizing
- wondrous
- astounding
- rousing
- stirring
- marvelous
- showy
- eventful
- emphatic
- marvellous
- odd
- weird
- hypnotizing
- eye-opening
- fabulous
- splashy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tedious
- uninteresting
- boring
- dry
- dull
- monotonous
- drab
- tiresome
- heavy
- wearisome
- tiring
- sterile
- unexciting
- discouraging
- wearying
- dreary
- disheartening
- humdrum
- dispiriting
- pedantic
- demoralizing
- pedestrian
- operose
fascinating
2 of 2verb
1
as in intriguing
to attract or delight as if by magic for years the zoo's family of giant pandas have fascinated visitors Synonyms & Similar Words
- interesting
- intriguing
- enchanting
- charming
- enticing
- captivating
- alluring
- beguiling
- bewitching
- delighting
- pleasing
- tempting
- magnetizing
- seducing
- luring
- killing
- wiling
- witching
- drawing
- gratifying
- enthralling
- entrancing
- disarming
- pulling
- wooing
- arresting
- inviting
- enrapturing
- beckoning
- courting
- appealing (to)
- soliciting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disgusting
- revolting
- annoying
- offending
- boring
- repelling
- tiring
- displeasing
- wearying
- irking
2
as in enchanting
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
- enchanting
- thrilling
- gripping
- mesmerizing
- spellbinding
- enthralling
- arresting
- hypnotizing
- entrancing
- charming
- engrossing
- bedazzling
- engaging
- bewitching
- beguiling
- involving
- catching up
- enrapturing
- absorbing
3
as in immersing
to hold the attention of the subject of artificial intelligence fascinates me Synonyms & Similar Words
- interesting
- intriguing
- immersing
- occupying
- engrossing
- involving
- gripping
- enthralling
- attracting
- enchanting
- bemusing
- engaging
- busying
- absorbing
- captivating
- distracting
- charming
- mesmerizing
- alluring
- preoccupying
- enwrapping
- bewitching
- beguiling
- catching one's eye
- hypnotizing
- obsessing
- catching up
- monopolizing
- hogging
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- boring
- tiring
- wearying
- jading
- palling
- lead someone a merry chase
- lead someone a merry dance
- lead someone around by the nose
- lead someone by the nose
- lead someone down the garden path
- lead someone up the garden path
- lead spar
- lead story
- lead subacetate
- lead sulfate
- lead sulfide
- lead tetraacetate
- lead the eye to
- lead the field
- lead the pack
- lead the pack/field
- lead the way
- lead the world
- lead the/one's eye to
- lead time
- lead to
- lead to believe
- lead to the altar
- lead track
- lead tree