fascinate

[fas-uh-neyt] / ˈfæs əˌneɪt /

VERB

captivate, hold spellbound

Synonyms

STRONGEST

animate attract beguile bewitch charm delight enamor enchant engage engross enrapture enthrall entice excite infatuate intoxicate intrigue mesmerize overwhelm please rivet seduce tantalize tempt thrill titillate transfix

STRONG

absorb allure arouse attach compel draw enslave ensnare entrance fire gladden hypnotize interest invite kindle lure overpower pique provoke ravish spellbind stimulate stir subdue transport win

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore deaden depress discourage disenchant disgust displease forget offend refuse reject repel repulse turn off

STRONG

calm delight deter dissuade free incite let go liberate prevent release stop

WEAK

disenthrall disinterest tire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Female friendships fascinate Tessa Thompson—especially the ones that go awry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

But the subject also appears to fascinate him.

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

Why does this planet fascinate people so much?

From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2025

The great African apes, which includes gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos are renowned for their intelligence and fascinate both scientists and laypeople because of their physical and genetic similarities with humans.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2024

“The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan especially seemed to fascinate her.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Vocabulary lists containing fascinate

Woman Hollering Creek

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I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005

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Lessons 2–3

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