captivating 1 of 2

captivating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of captivate

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 captivating
Adjective
His performances, however, were captivating and nuanced, an unmistakable result of his relentless dedication to his craft. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025 His unique body type is as rare as his captivating blend of power and athleticism. Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
Few shows are as visually alluring and simultaneously captivating in their storytelling as The White Lotus. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025 Oscar-winning actors embody roles in an authentic way, captivating audiences and serving stories that transcend their selves. Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captivating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivating
Adjective
  • Vara is an appealing narrator—smart, funny, honest, and a little neurotic.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Preserve & Grow Wealth with Risk-Focused Quality Portfolios For investors who want to pair defensive strategy with appealing returns, AEP is a smart choice.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • One of my favorites of the important supporting cast is the charismatic Chinese couple who runs two shops in town and provides material support to the twins’ efforts to start their juke joint — Grace (Li Jun Li) and Bow Chow (Yao), who have an adolescent daughter, Lisa (Helena Hu).
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Why cast an actor as charismatic as this star and then hand him two underwritten parts?
    A.A. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Experts say the falling rate could thaw the largely frozen housing market by enticing buyers off the sidelines.
    Kevin Williams, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Nearly all bird species feed their young insects, so planting native greenery that attracts bugs can be enticing to hummingbirds.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The vast majority of the city’s industrial jobs remained low paying, dangerous, and only attractive to the most desperate Americans until the 1940s.
    Made by History, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • These rooms, and the rest of the interior, have just been professionally repainted using attractive colors.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But behind the chocolate chips and charming branding was a visionary who defied the traditional mold of Black masculinity, one homemade batch at a time.
    Jasmine Browley, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Offstage, Summer lives in the Dallas Fort Worth area, sharing her home with her supportive husband, their charming daughter, her quirky brother, and her canine companions, Cricket, Loki, Adie and chinchilla, Princess Fluffy Pants.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) to become the belle of the ball in a film that bitingly examines body image and beauty standards.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Emotive, enchanting and exotic, the track weaves kalimba and chanting vocals with soft, brooding piano and string parts — and even a subtle harp.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This rule set up a fascinating opportunity to directly compare the health outcomes of two groups of individuals over time.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Yet, as captured in this fascinating documentary, his life and on-set persona were messy, complicated, and unforgettable.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Her breakout role was in the 2017 Bravo series Imposters, playing the seductive con artist Maddie.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The internet had been buzzing with rumors that her seductive serenade during the R&B superstar’s live performance sparked a breakup with a supposed husband, but Tillman is calling it all fan fiction.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivating. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on captivating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!