FASCINATE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fascinate

verb

ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt

Definition of fascinate

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

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

as in to interest

to hold the attention of the subject of artificial intelligence fascinates me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 In 2008, passionate surfer Tim Russo purchased the property, renamed it, and set out to organically grow it into a resort full of wonder where serious surfers and travelers fascinated with the surf lifestyle could vacation happily. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026 From bizarre medical tests to a mass phobia of beans, here are 14 surprising facts that reveal just how inventive, eccentric, and fascinating the ancient Greeks really were. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 Interest is heightened when royal stories cover Princess Diana, who was one of the most famous women in the world, with people fascinated by her life. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 Ashton was charming, funny, ridiculously handsome, and fascinated by all things tech. — Chuck Lorre, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fascinate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fascinate

Verb

Emirates, which has nearly returned to its prewar capacity, is trying to entice more connecting travelers on long-haul flights to make a stop in Dubai.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The 17-year-old said there is a lot of peer pressure to vape, and the product flavors and designs are enticing for teens.

— Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

The boy was a soccer player who was enchanted by the idea of camping in the woods; Charlotte was bright and cheery, sometimes applying glitter to her father’s mustache.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Harvest markets and ghostly performances also enchant—not to mention a Halloween express to convey guests.

— Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of enchant

Verb

What interests me most is the idea of giving young people an ownership stake in a company helping shape the future of space exploration.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Which is perhaps why the inclusion of Atari BASIC interests me more than another collection of retro games.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of interest

Verb

Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress who delighted TV viewers with her light-hearted turns on The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie before quitting at the peak of her powers, has died.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
His designs continue to delight and inspire through his use of pattern, textures and color that now goes beyond signature knitwear.

— Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Verb

Their darkness and surreality narrow your attention and enhance your connection to their stunning, futuristic artifacts, turning a familiar experience into a thrilling journey.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Taylor was thrilled to see Mendoza take his opportunity to shoot the ball.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrill

Verb

Still, there were a number of real-life court cases that intrigued him as a storyteller with a journalism background.

— Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
Played by Steve Earle, Dale offers Lee a sandwich, but Lee is more intrigued by a novelty mug in the cab of his truck.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of intrigue

Verb

At the ground-floor Bar di Passo, sip Campari classics at the counter, surrounded by an exquisite Art Deco backdrop that has captivated patrons since its opening.

— Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
In August 2023, a dramatic cable car emergency in Battagram in northern Pakistan captivated audiences around the world as footage of the unfolding rescue spread across TV and social media.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of captivate

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farthest

fascinate

fascinated

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“Fascinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fascinate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fascinate

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