fascinate

verb

ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce fascinate (audio)
Definition of fascinatenext
1
as in to entice
to attract or delight as if by magic for years the zoo's family of giant pandas have fascinated visitors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to enchant
to hold the attention of as if by a spell I can gaze at the sea for hours, fascinated by the never-ending waves crashing upon the shore

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to interest
to hold the attention of the subject of artificial intelligence fascinates me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The platform where Woah Vicky really shines is X, where her hyper-confessional, typo-laden posts repeatedly fascinate a certain subset of the internet. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 23 June 2026 Her signature platinum curls, classic minimalist style and soft-spoken mystique became synonymous with Old Hollywood glamour, while her life story continues to fascinate and inspire. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Pompeii, lying 14 miles southeast of Naples and part of the Roman Empire when it was destroyed, has fascinated history buffs ever since it was excavated in the 18th century. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026 The mansion, now closed for restoration, was built around Moïse de Camondo’s collection of 18th-century decorative arts, the same century that fascinated Christian Dior. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fascinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fascinate
  1. entice
  2. enchant
  3. interest
  4. delight
  5. thrill
  6. intrigue
  7. captivate
  8. grip
Verb
  • Some supplements and chews are offered in different flavors to better entice your dog.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • That subscription data, entertainment, and safety service offers complementary base services, but owners are enticed to upgrade for premium services.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of entice
Verb
  • The country was playing in the World Cup for just the third time and the run enchanted a nation that is normally far more interested in hockey than the pitch.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Ideal for a wedding or black-tie gala, Hannah Bronfman’s twisty updo and face-framing tendrils are sure to enchant.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of enchant
Verb
  • Nothing that would interest a musicologist in any serious forensic sense.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 6 July 2026
  • These are novels about bohemian communities of friends and lovers and artistic collaborators, which is a big part of what interests me about AIDS activism.
    — Sarah Schulman, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
Definition of interest
Verb
  • This lighthearted cameo delighted longtime fans and underscored that, while the late-night institution has closed, Colbert himself isn't disappearing from the spotlight anytime soon.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • On the final day of Pride Month, here’s one final bonkers gay story to delight and amaze you.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of delight
Verb
  • Not every business leader is thrilled about the direction of the AI industry.
    — Chris Dobstaff, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Although Kingda Ka is gone, Six Flags indicated the new attraction is designed to deliver a similarly thrilling experience while introducing several ride elements not currently found elsewhere in North America, according to reports.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • The actress recalls how Robinson, also 31, intrigued her back then.
    — Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • After the last pitch, the room opens up for mingling, and attendees approach whoever intrigued them.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Definition of intrigue
Verb
  • Kahan headlines Rolling Stone’s inaugural Stateside Festival on July 4, just ahead of his return to Fenway on July 18 and 19, where 70,000 people will get to see a guy with his guitar absolutely captivate.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
  • The Ritz Carton Rancho Mirage hopes to capture and captivate guests with its new immersive experiences.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of captivate
Verb
  • The body politic wages war against itself in Shakespeare’s tragedy, and the all-out battle makes for a gripping spectacle in Griffith Park.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Button Gwinnett didn’t want to be in Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress in the summer of 1776, and not just because a heat wave gripped the city and delegates dressed in wool and powdered wigs.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of grip

Browse Nearby Words

farthest
fascinate
fascinated
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Cite this Entry

“Fascinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fascinate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fascinate

Nglish: Translation of fascinate for Spanish Speakers

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