captivated 1 of 2

Definition of captivatednext

captivated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of captivate

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of captivated
Adjective
The Manchester City striker shot to global fame during the World Cup as his humor and charm captivated audiences, and Norway’s national team reached the quarterfinals for the first time. — Stella Canino-Quiñones, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2026 As the competitions unfolded, Rico found herself just as captivated as her daughter. — Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
The killings of Murdaugh’s wife and son and his subsequent six-week trial captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Pearce kicked off the North American leg of his tour in Baltimore, but has sold-out shows in cities such as New York and Los Angeles and has already captivated audiences in Bahrain, Singapore and India. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for captivated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivated
Adjective
  • Susanna was pleased, quite charmed, in fact, with this Platonically flavoured analysis.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Since then, Cregger has gone on one of the most charmed runs of any filmmaker in town.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Kember, who grew up in a Catholic household, and Pierce, the son of a proselytizer, were fascinated by spirituality.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In 2008, passionate surfer Tim Russo purchased the property, renamed it, and set out to organically grow it into a resort full of wonder where serious surfers and travelers fascinated with the surf lifestyle could vacation happily.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Her quest takes her into the Impassable Wilderness — an enchanted forest just outside Portland.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In this historic Italian villa there is nothing traditional, except for the location; nothing untouchable, except for an enchanted garden.
    — Elena Dallorso, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But while Cartman and Ike are in Sephora, they get enticed into going into the backrooms with an employee, which look straight out of Kane Parsons’ horror film.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • During the mid-2000s, some tribal members, enticed by a chance at life-changing money, got involved in moving people and drugs, fueling cycles of arrest and incarceration that exacerbated challenges the community was already facing.
    — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Onscreen, his hands floated slowly across a sheet of paper, an entranced expression on his face.
    — Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Bay Area News Group After growing up in Baguio City in the Philippines, where dessert often meant treats like fresh mangoes, sticky rice or coconut candy, Elisa Sunga became entranced with baked desserts like cakes when her family moved to Antioch, in the East Bay area, in 2001.
    — Kate Bradshaw, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • And his fight against Black housing development in Newark’s North Ward delighted many of his neighbors.
    — Mark Krasovic, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Past visitors include different types of tuna that have delighted sport fishers, and open-ocean red crabs that can change the poop color of birds that feast on them.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Navarrette plays the bewitched Nikki as a raw nerve, a woman whose unnatural devotion to her boyfriend has her swinging between terrifying extremes.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 18 May 2026
  • The kind of public living room, knitted into the social fabric of Powell’s native Dublin, that so bewitched Mester during their transatlantic courtship.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Captivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivated. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!