captivate

[kap-tuh-veyt] / ˈkæp təˌveɪt /

VERB

attract, enchant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beguile bewitch charm dazzle delight enrapture entertain enthrall fascinate gratify grip hypnotize infatuate intrigue mesmerize please seduce

STRONG

allure draw enamour enslave ensnare entrance hold hook lure magnetize spellbind take vamp win

WEAK

make a hit with rope in sweep off one's feet turn on wile

Antonyms

STRONGEST

annoy bore depress disappoint disenchant disgust displease disturb offend refuse repel tire turn off upset

STRONG

dissuade free let go liberate reject release repulse stop

WEAK

disillusion

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.

Americans didn’t actually land on the moon last week, despite some congratulations to the contrary, and Artemis II didn’t quite captivate the full attention of a country distracted by global strife and gas pumps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Jackson, 77, said she had "never doubted" the show's potential or that it would become a hit big enough to captivate audiences half a century later.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

There were TVs all over the place, playing whatever advocates could think of to try to captivate the attention of these kids.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

The two had proved again that they can captivate sports fans.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

Words create rhythmic patterns that captivate a child’s attention.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Vocabulary lists containing captivate

The Diary of a Young Girl

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The Invention of Hugo Cabret

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The Boy Who Invented TV

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