fascinating

adjective

fas·​ci·​nat·​ing ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ How to pronounce fascinating (audio)
ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ
Synonyms of fascinating
: extremely interesting or charming : captivating
a fascinating documentary
gave a fascinating account of the expedition
fascinatingly
ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce fascinating (audio)
ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ-
adverb

Synonyms of fascinating

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Examples of fascinating in a Sentence

the fascinating cities and peoples of central Asia have been intriguing travelers at least since the time of Marco Polo the fascinating—but dubious—legend that Pocahontas rescued John Smith from certain death
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Plus, the history of haint blue porches is just as fascinating as these porches are beautiful. — Elizabeth Sweet, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 Hall of Fame analyst Pam Shriver says the age gap adds a fascinating dimension to the grass-court chess match. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 The World Cup offers us a fascinating glimpse at the complexities of national pride and identity. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 July 2026 From volcanic landscapes to fascinating marine wildlife and sunshine galore to gastronomic paradise, here are some ideas for your next island break in Europe. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fascinating

Word History

Etymology

see fascinate

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fascinating was in 1618

Rhymes for fascinating

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Browse Nearby Words

fascinatedly
fascinating
fascinatingly
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Cite this Entry

“Fascinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascinating. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fascinating

adjective
fas·​ci·​nat·​ing
ˈfas-ə-ˌnāt-iŋ
: extremely interesting or charming
fascinatingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on fascinating

Nglish: Translation of fascinating for Spanish Speakers

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