Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fascinate are allure, attract, captivate, charm, and enchant. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

When could allure be used to replace fascinate?

The words allure and fascinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When is attract a more appropriate choice than fascinate?

The meanings of attract and fascinate 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 are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of fascinate?

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

When would enchant be a good substitute for fascinate?

While the synonyms enchant and fascinate are close in meaning, 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

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 fascinate Infamous for his extreme stage presence and self-destructive performances, Allin’s memorabilia has long been sought after by collectors fascinated with punk’s most chaotic figure. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025 As a guy, I’m fascinated by how something like this can take off — women are coughing up thousands and thousands of dollars for these things. Kin Woo, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 In 1956, an aspiring young actor named Gene Hackman joined the Pasadena Playhouse in California, struggling to find a way into a field he’d been fascinated with since childhood. David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025 He has been fascinated by the players’ kits, wondering whether more can be done to optimise comfort and performance. Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fascinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fascinate
Verb
  • Instead, General Catalyst is in rapid expansion mode — trying to build the sort of diversified, fee-generating asset base that would entice Wall Street analysts to use firms like Blackstone as comps.
    Dan Primack, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But the black-and-white film about two Black couples, played by the same actors, living in Chicago during two different time periods, didn’t entice distributors.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • 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
Verb
  • As this strategy becomes more widespread, expect influential people to be inundated with similar requests (so if this strategy interests you, get started now).
    Nick Brown, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Nothing and nobody could have interested George more than Ahmet did.
    Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Like Clarkson often does, Groban delighted fans by performing for them.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • What’s more, Mattel throughout its history operated with a studio-like approach to creating products to delight the most fickle consumers and their parents.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If there’s anything as close to the physical comedy highs of Fourth Grade Talent Show, I will be thrilled.
    Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The Rise of the Self-Directed AI At first, the implications seem thrilling.
    Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If you’re intrigued by Buddhist philosophy or the neuroscience of mindfulness, geek out.
    Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 6 Mar. 2025
  • His decision to include Brown — not just via a sample, but by crediting him — will certainly intrigue many younger listeners, and potentially turn them onto Brown’s discography.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • She's particularly captivated by secondary problems that modern technologies inadvertently cause.
    Perri Thaler, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • TikTok video displaying a note from a pilot – handwritten on a brown napkin – that would soon captivate millions online.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The crowd - like at almost every cricket ground in the world when India plays - was partisan for the men in blue with giddy fans riding the emotion of every twist and turn of a gripping final.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Has the league prepared her to take the next step with the Chicago Sky? Daily Horoscope for March 09, 2025 Daily Horoscope for March 09, 2025 Anti-Trump, Musk protest at Orland Park Tesla countered by MAGA demonstrators Five years ago, COVID gripped the world in fear.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fascinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fascinate. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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