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The history of enthrall appeals far less than the word as we use it today might suggest. In Middle English, enthrallen meant “to deprive of privileges; to put in bondage.” Thrall then, as now, referred to bondage or slavery. An early figurative use of enthrall appeared in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape.” But we rarely use even this sense of mental or moral control anymore. More often, the word simply suggests a state of being generally captivated or delighted by some particular thing. Enthrall is commonly found in its past participle form enthralled, which can mean “spellbound,” as in “we listened, enthralled, to the elder's oral history.”
Synonyms
Examples of enthrall in a Sentence
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
The event has been celebrated annually with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which enthralls visitors and locals who gather along its 1,000-mile course to watch top mushers and their dogs compete.
—Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024
The final impression one was left with was that of the tremendous power of the duo’s music to enthrall so many listeners.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 2 Dec. 2024
Dramatic gold that is certain to enthrall history buffs and serious theatre-goers alike, according to a news release.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Enthrall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthrall. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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