captivated

adjective

cap·​ti·​vat·​ed ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-təd How to pronounce captivated (audio)
Synonyms of captivatednext
: having one's interest or attention held or captured by something or someone charming, beautiful, entertaining, etc.
The captivated audience oohed and aahed as colorful patterns emerged on an overhead screen …—Jean Hennelly Keith
At dinner, Wayne keeps the conversation smooth, like a captivated courtier seeking Neil's mother's hand.—David Leavitt

Examples of captivated in a Sentence

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.
As the competitions unfolded, Rico found herself just as captivated as her daughter. — Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026 The Secret History by Donna Tartt A group of gifted but isolated students at an elite New England college become captivated by their charismatic classics professor and his unconventional worldview. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 July 2026 Spain’s victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup cemented the country’s status as soccer’s new powerhouse, with a fearless young squad that captivated fans from the opening whistle to the final. — Leen Al Saadi, Vogue, 23 July 2026 Mark was the first to become captivated by a career in outer space; his twin, younger by six minutes, became an astronaut as well. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for captivated

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captivated was in the 14th century

Rhymes for captivated

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Browse Nearby Words

captivate
captivated
captivating
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Cite this Entry

“Captivated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivated. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on captivated

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for captivated

Nglish: Translation of captivated for Spanish Speakers

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