enchant

verb

in-ˈchant How to pronounce enchant (audio)
Definition of enchantnext
1
as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic the child actress enchanted audiences with her bubbly personality

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to possess
to cast a spell on out of spite, the jealous queen enchanted her chief rival for the title of the fairest one of all

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to enthral
to hold the attention of as if by a spell the tales about the young wizard have enchanted children around the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word enchant different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of enchant are allure, attract, captivate, charm, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Where would allure be a reasonable alternative to enchant?

The synonyms allure and enchant are sometimes interchangeable, but allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When is attract a more appropriate choice than enchant?

The meanings of attract and enchant largely overlap; however, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How do charm and captivate relate to one another, in the sense of enchant?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

In what contexts can fascinate take the place of enchant?

The words fascinate and enchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

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 enchant Cinderella's fragrance has notes of gardenia petals, enchanting musk and sapphire blue amber. Belle. — Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025 Set in Turkey’s stunning Cappadocia region, famed for its striking moon-like landscape and enchanting fairy chimneys, the property proudly stands as the largest and newest hotel in the region, giving visitors a luxurious launchpad to the legendary destination. — Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 Visit during sunrise or sunset for enchanting views of Christoffelberg. — Curaçao Tourist Board, AFAR Media, 26 Feb. 2025 The competition’s ultimate underdog story belongs to Calais and the team of talented and spirited fourth-tier part-timers who enchanted the whole of France by battling their way to the final in 2000. — Tom Williams, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enchant
  1. fascinate
  2. possess
  3. charm
  4. spell
  5. entice
  6. bewitch
  7. delight
  8. seduce
Verb
  • TikTok users were fascinated by the video, awarding it more than 561,000 likes and a whopping 7.3 million views, as thousands of commenters asked questions about the process.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Seth had seen other successful you-pick farms in the area and was fascinated by the idea of re-creating the Netherlands' iconic flower fields in Alabama.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of fascinate
Verb
  • Wynn-Williams’ book does possess a feature common to tell-all memoirs.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In late January, authorities arrested Christopher Kegan Williams, a Sacramento County man who has been charged with murder and possessing drugs for sale in the death of Collanton’s son, 20-year-old Spencer Newsom.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of possess
Verb
  • Perhaps this is why Trump seems instead to have landed on a strategy of trying to charm Greenlanders into voting for independence from Denmark.
    — Louise Bokkenheuser, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
  • While some people were charmed by the video, others were more critical.
    — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of charm
Verb
  • Such factors spell prime conditions for fires to develop and spread rapidly.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
  • However, financial experts warn that one mistake can spell catastrophe for your finances.
    — Judy Lagrou, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of spell
Verb
  • The goal for Boca Raton officials is to entice not just various wealthy industries but to bring in new residents and tourists, too.
    — Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
  • How fast that figure ascends is somewhat dependent on mortgage rates — lower rates would entice more existing owners to sell.
    — Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of entice
Verb
  • Still, for all of humankind’s efforts to keep the land in place, the very thing that makes the Outer Banks so bewitching also leaves them entirely exposed to the elements.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This mix of pigments created a unique, bewitching shade and with its creamy finish created over-hydrated lips—even more kissable.
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bewitch
Verb
  • Make Time for Tea Next door, Draper Blooms Tea Garden delights with a formal tea service that features scrumptious finger sandwiches, vanilla scones, seasonal jams, and bite-size sweets, like brownies and breads.
    — Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Gentle Great Dane Meeting New Baby Brother By Alyce Collins Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A toddler's adorable bond with his Great Dane companion has delighted the internet, showing that every boy needs a four-legged friend.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of delight
Verb
  • Instinct says to seduce with a decadent chocolate treat, but sadly, my Valentine for the past 20 years isn’t the biggest chocolate lover.
    — Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Raúl Castillo plays against type and makes for a menacing, unstoppable presence in a genre homage that’s yell-at-the-scream enjoyable and seduces with its terrific cinematography from Daniel Katz.
    — Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of seduce

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enchains
enchant
enchanted
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Cite this Entry

“Enchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enchant. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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