spellbound 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspel-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce spellbound (audio)
Definition of spellboundnext
as in charmed
being or appearing to be under a magic spell spellbound audiences never tire of this annual Christmas favorite

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spellbound

2 of 2

verb

past tense of spellbind
as in fascinated
to hold the attention of as if by a spell the tale about pirates and their buried treasure had completely spellbound the children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 spellbound
Adjective
The ecstatic scenes across the country after a Mexico win, most notably in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, the three host cities, paint the picture of a nation spellbound by its football team. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 July 2026 The town was spellbound over this horrific murders. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026 The result was a strangely spellbound life. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 The waxing and waning of the substorm conditions fuel auroras all night, keeping us spellbound for hours. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spellbound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spellbound
  1. charmed
  2. fascinated
  3. enchanted
  4. mesmerized
  5. magic
  6. magical
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
Definition of charmed
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
Definition of fascinated
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
Definition of enchanted
Verb
  • No one was standing over my shoulder telling me to pay it special attention, but I was mesmerized.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Nearly a year after her record-breaking album mesmerized Swifties, the singer has rewarded her loyal fanbase with a deluxe edition, subtitled The Encore.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of mesmerized
Adjective
  • That was the magic gadget that put TONE3000 squarely back in my sights.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
  • All the rest of us need are some magic rings and/or the film‘s theatrical release on February 12.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of magic
Adjective
  • But these magical, convention-defying places are also one of our greatest allies in the fight against climate change.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • While the name sounds dramatic, Goble said there is nothing magical about crossing that temperature threshold.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of magical

Browse Nearby Words

spellbinds
spellbound
spelled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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