CAPTIVATING Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

captivating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ

Definition of captivating

as in appealing

having an often mysterious or magical power to attract a captivating performance by the young singing sensation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

captivating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of captivate

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

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 captivating

Adjective

More than 200 years later, her wit, social observations and wonderfully flawed characters remain as captivating as ever. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026 One hundred participants were presented with a series of images showcasing the airport runways, and their visual engagement was measured using eye-tracking technology to determine the most captivating landings. — Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Massachusetts mother at the center of an ongoing murder trial for the killings of her three children is captivating the internet and social media. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 The 17-year-old’s performance in Aston Villa’s 2-1 Super Cup defeat against Paris Saint-Germain was captivating for several reasons. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for captivating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating

Adjective

Clean windows bring more light into a home and make the view more appealing.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
South Korea created a system that catches things early, making a Seoul wellness trip highly appealing for international visitors.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of appealing

Verb

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
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

Definition of fascinating

Adjective

So much so that a charismatic friend (Holly Sabiston) in Austin, Texas, put me in touch with another friend of hers, Laura Dunn, who was making a documentary film about Wendell and his vision.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Based on its trailer, Wild Horse Nine, which premieres in competition on September 3, seems to find McDonagh back in his sweet spot, helming a pitch-black comedy about two charismatic men wrestling with their dark pasts.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of charismatic

Verb

Prosecutors said Huiracocha and Murillo recruited others to participate in three separate crashes, enticing them with promises of thousands in cash.

— Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
The hiring of the Catalan content creator, however, has only served to enrage the public, rather than enticing them to watch the race.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of enticing

Adjective

But rising bond yields make safer government debt more attractive relative to stocks, while also reducing the present value investors assign to companies’ future earnings.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Those figures could make efficiency retrofits attractive as marine fuel costs and emissions requirements rise.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of attractive

Verb

The rolling meadows, forests, and enchanting Monet gardens form an artistic canvas that complements the hotel’s interiors.

— Veronica M. Stoddart, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
The rookie showman is proving his mettle as part of the Caballero Circus, a five-generation family of performers, by enchanting audiences with his charismatic stage presence and sharp coordination.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026

Definition of enchanting

Adjective

The neighborhood Located on the Bodrum peninsula, Türkbükü is a charming seaside village, just 15 minutes away by car and out of earshot from Bodrum’s bustling centre.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Among the house’s charming features were a wraparound porch, a custom library, and an attic converted into a bedroom for their daughter, Chelsea, who turned one year old during the Clinton family’s two-year residency at the house.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of charming

Adjective

While well-known for a number of onscreen roles, including Wadsworth in Clue, Curry is most associated with playing the mad, seductive scientist in the 1975 Rocky Horror film.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Chocolate may have seductive ingredients like fat and sugar, but the chocolate bar doesn’t change its recipe based on who is eating it.

— Larry Magid, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of seductive

Browse Nearby Words

captivates

captivating

captivation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of captivating

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes