captivates

verb

present tense third-person singular of captivate
as in fascinates
to attract or delight as if by magic the clown captivated the toddlers with his balloon tricks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 captivates Celebrated for its genteel Scandinavian minimalism, the brand embraces a deliberate and elevated design philosophy that captivates with its uniqueness. — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026 The Hitchcockian plot captivates from the get-go as a sort-of writer talks to someone off camera about his obsession for shadowing strangers. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 Perhaps, then, what captivates us is a kind of redemption story—the seductive idea that technology can not only repair nature but absolve us for having degraded it. — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026 Holland, who had important roles in Selma and Moonlight, always captivates. — Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026 Vancouver, where The Last Of Us films, is one of the host cities of the tournament, which captivates the world’s attention for a month every four years while also disrupting live — including location work — in the cities where the games take place. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 June 2026 The tournament touches and captivates nearly every corner of the globe. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 8 June 2026 Sure, there are several social butterflies across the zodiac—Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius, to name a few—but Geminis are famous for their magnetic eccentricity which captivates just about anyone in their orbit. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 21 May 2026 But this tiny riverfront town—just over an hour's drive from both New York City and Philadelphia—is the kind of place that captivates. — Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivates
  1. fascinates
  2. entices
  3. enchants
  4. delights
  5. seduces
Verb
  • Yet, what fascinates is that Aristotle’s God isn’t a typical divine being who summons and shepherds.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, what fascinates aspiring neurologist Makenzie Stovall is the idea that AI is trying to emulate the brain — an organ whose inner workings continue to leave researchers dumbfounded.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fascinates
Verb
  • The main sticking point is Real Madrid’s failure to offer something that entices both City and the player, whose contract expires at the Etihad on June 30, 2027.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Guadalupe River State Park entices visitors with its cool waters for tubing, paddling, and swimming and family-friendly campgrounds.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of entices
Verb
  • Allegheny National Forest, just around 90 minutes from Erie, Pennsylvania, enchants with rolling peaks that reflect off calm, paddle-friendly waterways.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
  • Ella has shades of Holly Hunter's intense, workaholic producer Jane from Brooks' 1987 masterpiece Broadcast News, the smartest person in any room who both exhausts and enchants everyone around her.
    — Esther Zuckerman, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
Definition of enchants
Verb
  • In addition to the scents currently available at Walmart, Dove will release additional Target-exclusive holiday delights later this fall.
    — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Tartine is fittingly tucked inside a former funeral home chapel, where breakfast delights such as golden pastries, fresh breads and fruity jams are heaven on Earth.
    — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of delights
Verb
  • This is not the beautiful creature who seduces Odysseus in the poem.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In the video, then-23-year-old Gugino plays a young woman who, after her rock star boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend, seduces an artist painting her portrait.
    — Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
Definition of seduces

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captivated
captivates
captivating
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Cite this Entry

“Captivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivates. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of captivates for Spanish Speakers

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