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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captivating
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What Dancing Reveals About a Rooster’s World For anyone who has watched chickens closely, rooster dances are a captivating behavior.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
If the arrangement of that content is captivating?
—Maggie Anders, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Adjective
This is one of Corsica’s most captivating regions, physically and culturally, and only 30 minutes from tiny Figari airport.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What Dancing Reveals About a Rooster’s World For anyone who has watched chickens closely, rooster dances are a captivating behavior.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Fearless alternative pop singer Noga Erez is on the brink of superstardom with a unique, captivating sound and a major studio album on the way.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
If the arrangement of that content is captivating?
—Maggie Anders, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
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Benet, who is very appealing, really deserved much more to do vocally.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Forest face Newcastle at home that week before another appealing home fixture against Bournemouth in Gameweek 38.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Balcony is textbook Manet—grand in ambition, ingeniously composed, visually charismatic, and socially unfathomable.—
Susan Tallman,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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Much like James Marsden’s entrance as the obnoxiously wealthy and charismatic Owen Ashe, this sophomore season has come in hot and much more tantalizing, dramatic, emotional, and funnier than before.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His frame and traits are enticing.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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In Middleboro he is charged with one count of witness intimidation and enticing a child under 16.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And the meteoric rise of AI makes companion robots an attractive policy goal.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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And that mentality is part of what made the Detroit Country Day product attractive to potential employers, as much as his pass-blocking prowess.—
Matthew Mowery,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It was broadcast worldwide, enchanting some 30 million viewers.—
Francesca Pellegrini,
Vanity Fair,
19 Apr. 2026
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The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Don’t pass up this fun way to get around this charming town.—
Karon Warren,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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Mars’ between-song banter, though charming, frequently sounded scripted down to the syllable.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On World Rhythms, Lockwood trusts the listener to hear the arc of its noises, to trace their emergence and disappearance, their strange, seductive confluence.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
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Together, Venus and Pluto create a blend of seductive charm, substance and intellectual stimulation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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