attract

verb

at·​tract ə-ˈtrakt How to pronounce attract (audio)
attracted; attracting; attracts
Synonyms of attract

transitive verb

: to cause to approach or adhere: such as
a
: to pull to or draw toward oneself or itself
A magnet attracts iron.
b
: to draw by appeal to natural or excited interest, emotion, or aesthetic sense : entice
attract attention
The museum attracts visitors.

intransitive verb

: to exercise attraction
Opposites attract.
attractor
ə-ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce attract (audio)
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for attract

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence.

attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response,

charmed by their hospitality

but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

her performances captivated audiences

fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Examples of attract in a Sentence

The company has a difficult time attracting good employees because of its poor pay and benefits. The chance to travel around the world attracted me to a career as a flight attendant. The museum attracts visitors from all over the world. The scent will attract certain insects. Certain insects are attracted by the scent. Her bright blue eyes attracted me. The bird's colorful feathers are used to attract a mate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With the ferry ride from Portland just 15 minutes, Peaks attracts many day trippers, while others rent cottages for a few days or a week or two. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 Growing up in the foothills of eastern Kentucky as a compulsive reader and full-time hillbilly, I was instinctively attracted, like most literary-minded country folk, to the work of essayist, novelist, and poet, Wendell Berry. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Wong has little confidence that a new ballpark, even once it’s built and attracting visitors for 80 home games a year, will make business much better. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Pattaya has tried with some success to rebrand itself as a family destination, with parks, malls and luxury resorts largely in surrounding areas that attract large numbers of Thais and visitors from other Asian nations. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attract

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attracten, borrowed from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere "to draw with force, drag toward, compel to come," from ad- ad- + trahere "to drag, draw, take along" — more at abstract entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of attract was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing attract

Rhymes for attract

See All Rhymes for attract

Browse Nearby Words

attour
attract
attractable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attract. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

attract

verb
at·​tract ə-ˈtrakt How to pronounce attract (audio)
1
: to pull to or toward oneself or itself
a magnet attracts iron
2
: to draw by appealing to interest or feeling
attract attention
Etymology

Middle English attracten "attract, cause to adhere," derived from Latin attrahere, literally "to draw near," from at-, ad- "to, toward" and trahere "to draw" — related to abstract, trace entry 1, trace entry 3

More from Merriam-Webster on attract

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for attract

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