fascination

noun

fas·​ci·​na·​tion ˌfa-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce fascination (audio)
Synonyms of fascinationnext
1
a
: the quality or power of fascinating
b
: something fascinating
2
: the state of being fascinated : the state of feeling an intense interest in something

Synonyms of fascination

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Examples of fascination in a Sentence

the fascination that the subject of dinosaurs has for most children
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.
Long before his music career took off, Burke exhibited a fascination with violence. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 Jules Dassin explored his previously unexamined fascination with the psychosexual. — John Bleasdale, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 At the same time, this very condition, which also has to do with rapt attention, even fascination, is actively projected in every direction. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 As Chicago’s current president of operations, and Theo Epstein’s longtime general manager before that, Hoyer remembered the fascination with Gausman’s stuff. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fascination

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fascination was in 1605

Rhymes for fascination

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Browse Nearby Words

fascinatingly
fascination
fascinator
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Cite this Entry

“Fascination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascination. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fascination

Nglish: Translation of fascination for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fascination

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