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captivating

[kap-tuh-vey-ting] / ˈkæp təˌveɪ tɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
absorbing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arresting engrossing enthralling fascinating gripping interesting intriguing riveting spellbinding
STRONG
consuming exciting monopolizing preoccupying
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring repulsive uninteresting
WEAK
irksome
ADJECTIVE
adorable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charming cute delightful
WEAK
appealing attractive darling dear delectable delicious dishy dreamy fetching heavenly hot kawaii pleasing precious
Antonyms
WEAK
despicable detestable hateable hateful
ADJECTIVE
alluring
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beguiling charming enticing seductive tempting
STRONG
bewitching winning
WEAK
magnetic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
repulsive
ADJECTIVE
attractive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring beautiful charming engaging enticing fair glamorous good-looking gorgeous handsome interesting inviting lovely pleasant pleasing tempting
WEAK
adorable agreeable beckoning bewitching comely enchanting enthralling fascinating fetching hunky looker luring magnetic mesmeric prepossessing pretty provocative seductive stunning taking tantalizing teasing winning winsome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring disagreeable disenchanting disgusting dull homely offensive repulsive ugly unattractive undesirable
WEAK
repellent unappealing
ADJECTIVE
bewitching
Synonyms
STRONG
alluring charming enchanting engaging enthralling enticing fascinating luring tempting winning
WEAK
beautiful desirable glamorous lovely pretty seductive winsome
Antonyms
STRONG
boring disenchanting repellent repulsive
ADJECTIVE
delightful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring amusing beautiful delectable delicious enchanting engaging enjoyable entertaining fascinating lovely luscious pleasing refreshing satisfying thrilling
WEAK
adorable agreeable ambrosial attractive cheery clever congenial darling fair gratifying heavenly ineffable lush pleasurable rapturous ravishing scrumptious yummy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring disagreeable homely horrible offensive repulsive tiring ugly unfunny unpleasant unsatisfying unsavory
WEAK
bad disappointing unamusing unenjoyable unhappy
ADJECTIVE
enchanting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring beguiling charming endearing intriguing lovely pleasant ravishing winsome
STRONG
appealing bewitching enthralling entrancing exciting pleasing
WEAK
attractive delectable glamorous seductive siren sirenic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagreeable
STRONG
boring
WEAK
bothering disenchanting disgusting repellent repulsive
ADJECTIVE
endearing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charming
STRONG
winning
WEAK
adorable dear irresistible kawaii sweet
ADJECTIVE
engaging
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring appealing attractive fascinating interesting intriguing inviting likable lovable pleasant pleasing sweet
STRONG
bewitching enchanting enticing entrancing fetching prepossessing winning
WEAK
agreeable glamorous magnetic mesmeric siren winsome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring disagreeable hateful mean repulsive ugly unfriendly unpleasant
STRONG
repellent unattractive
WEAK
tiresome undesirable unlikeable
ADJECTIVE
engrossing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absorbing compelling enthralling exciting fascinating gripping intriguing riveting stimulating
STRONG
consuming controlling monopolizing obsessing preoccupying provoking
WEAK
all-consuming
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring
WEAK
repellent repulsive uninteresting
ADJECTIVE
entertaining
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absorbing affecting charming compelling delightful diverting engaging engrossing enjoyable enticing exciting fascinating fun funny humorous impressive inspiring interesting lively moving pleasant poignant provocative stimulating thrilling
STRONG
cheering enchanting enthralling entrancing gas relaxing riot rousing scream stirring striking
WEAK
be a ball cheerful clever droll gay piquant pleasurable priceless recreative restorative side-splitting witty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bad boring depressing disagreeable dramatic dull repellent repulsive sad serious tragic unaffecting unamusing unenjoyable unexciting unfunny unhappy uninteresting unpleasant unstimulating
WEAK
laborious tiring
ADJECTIVE
enthralling
Synonyms
STRONGEST
engrossing fascinating gripping riveting
STRONG
consuming interesting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring repulsive uninteresting
ADJECTIVE
enticing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring appealing desirable engaging fascinating inviting tempting
STRONG
attracting bewitching charming enchanting fetching luring winning
WEAK
siren winsome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring disenchanting disgusting repulsive unattractive undesirable
STRONG
repellent
ADJECTIVE
fascinating
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring appealing charming compelling delightful enchanting engaging engrossing glamorous gripping intriguing riveting
STRONG
bewitching enticing ravishing seducing
WEAK
attractive delectable irresistible seductive siren
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring repellent repulsive
WEAK
uninteresting
ADJECTIVE
fetching
Synonyms
STRONGEST
enchanting
STRONG
charming enticing fascinating intriguing luring pleasing taking tempting
WEAK
beautiful cute sweet winsome
Antonyms
STRONG
repulsive
WEAK
repellent ugly unalluring unattractive
ADJECTIVE
glamorous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring attractive charismatic charming classy elegant exciting fascinating flashy glam glittering lovely prestigious seductive smart
WEAK
bewitching dazzling drop-dead gorgeous enchanting entrancing foxy glossy looking like a million magnetic nifty righteous siren
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring inelegant plain repellent repulsive ugly unfashionable unstylish
WEAK
dull lackluster unglamorous unsophisticated
ADJECTIVE
gripping
Synonyms
STRONGEST
engrossing enthralling exciting fascinating interesting intriguing riveting spellbinding
STRONG
arresting consuming monopolizing preoccupying
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring repulsive unexciting uninteresting unstimulating
ADJECTIVE
interesting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring amusing attractive compelling curious delightful engaging exotic fascinating impressive intriguing lovely pleasing provocative readable refreshing stimulating striking thought-provoking unusual
STRONG
absorbing affecting arresting enchanting engrossing enthralling entrancing fine gripping inviting prepossessing riveting stirring winning
WEAK
charismatic elegant exceptional gracious magnetic pleasurable suspicious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring disgusting familiar homely normal ordinary repulsive ugly unattractive unimpressive usual
STRONG
disenchanting repellent
WEAK
dull unexciting unstimulating
ADJECTIVE
intriguing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absorbing alluring appealing beguiling compelling curious enthralling exciting fascinating gripping provocative puzzling riveting stimulating stirring thought-provoking
STRONG
arousing enchanting
WEAK
attractive
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring unexciting unstimulating
ADJECTIVE
inveigling
Synonyms
STRONG
alluring attracting beguiling bewitching charming drawing enchanting enticing fascinating inviting luring ravishing tempting witching
WEAK
attractive come-hither desirable flirtatious irresistible magnetic provocative siren specious
Antonyms
STRONG
disenchanting repellent repulsive
ADJECTIVE
lovable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adorable amiable appealing charming cuddly delightful engaging fascinating genial sweet
WEAK
agreeable alluring angelic attractive bewitching desirable enchanting enthralling entrancing fetching friendly kawaii lovely lovesome pleasing ravishing seductive winning winsome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring despicable hateful irritable mean repulsive unfriendly unhappy unpleasant
WEAK
hateable unendearing
ADJECTIVE
lovely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring beautiful charming delicate delicious delightful enchanting engaging exquisite gorgeous graceful handsome pleasant pleasing pretty splendid stunning sweet
STRONG
dainty fair knockout winning
WEAK
admirable adorable attractive beauteous bewitching comely delectable enjoyable good-looking gratifying lovesome pulchritudinous rare scrumptious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagreeable homely horrible insignificant ordinary poor repulsive ugly undesirable unfriendly unhappy unpleasant
WEAK
awful drab unlovely unsightly
ADJECTIVE
luring
Synonyms
STRONG
alluring attracting beguiling bewitching charming drawing enchanting enticing fascinating inveigling inviting ravishing tempting witching
WEAK
attractive come-hither desirable flirtatious irresistible magnetic provocative siren specious
Antonyms
STRONG
disenchanting repellent repulsive
ADJECTIVE
magnetic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hypnotic irresistible seductive
WEAK
alluring appealing arresting bewitching charismatic charming enchanting entrancing fascinating inviting mesmerizing pulling
Antonyms
WEAK
repellent repulsive
ADJECTIVE
prepossessing
Synonyms
STRONG
alluring appealing attracting bewitching charming drawing enchanting engaging fair fascinating fetching inviting pleasing striking taking winning
WEAK
amiable beautiful good-looking likable lovable magnetic pleasant
Antonyms
STRONG
boring disenchanting repellent repulsive ugly
WEAK
homely unattractive unprepossessing
ADJECTIVE
quaint
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antiquated archaic charming curious cute fanciful picturesque twee whimsical
WEAK
Gothic Victorian affected ancient antique artful baroque colonial enchanting ingenious old-world pleasing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
modern new ordinary ugly
WEAK
common conventional current newfangled regular up-to-date usual
ADJECTIVE
ravishing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alluring dazzling enchanting enticing gorgeous lovely seductive stunning
STRONG
appealing bewitching charming inviting luring pleasing tantalizing
WEAK
adorable beautiful glamorous good-looking handsome pretty radiant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
homely ugly
ADJECTIVE
riveting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absorbing compelling enchanting engaging engrossing enthralling enticing intriguing mesmerizing spellbinding
STRONG
alluring appealing bewitching seducing
WEAK
hypnotic irresistible magnetic seductive
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring repellent repulsive
ADJECTIVE
seductive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attractive charming enticing fascinating flirtatious inviting irresistible provocative tempting
WEAK
attracting beguiling bewitching come-hither desirable drawing enchanting magnetic ravishing siren specious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disenchanting repellent repulsive unattractive unprovocative
WEAK
distasteful ugly unpleasing
ADJECTIVE
taking
Synonyms
STRONG
alluring beckoning bewitching charming enchanting engaging enthralling enticing fair fascinating fetching interesting inviting looker lovely luring pleasing prepossessing stunning sweet tantalizing teasing tempting winning
WEAK
adorable agreeable beautiful comely glamorous good-looking gorgeous handsome hunky magnetic mesmeric pleasant pretty provocative seductive winsome
Antonyms
STRONG
boring disenchanting homely repellent repulsive ugly unattractive
ADJECTIVE
thought-provoking
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absorbing exciting fascinating gripping inspirational interesting intriguing provocative riveting
WEAK
inviting refreshing stirring
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring unexciting unstimulating
ADJECTIVE
winning/winsome
Synonyms
WEAK
acceptable adorable agreeable alluring amiable bewitching cute delectable delightful disarming enchanting endearing engaging fascinating fetching gratifying lovable lovely pleasing prepossessing sweet taking
Antonyms
WEAK
disenchanting ugly unappealing unattractive
ADJECTIVE
winsome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appealing cute delightful engaging
WEAK
absorbing alluring attractive charismatic dainty delicate desirable elegant enamoring enthralling eye-catching fascinating glamorous inviting irresistible lovable pleasant pleasing pretty rapturous ravishing seducing seductive sweet tantalizing titillating winning

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The night-of-broadcast scenes draw you into the tension of finalizing and problem-solving and Michaels’ engagement with all manner of details is captivating.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

In the intervening weeks, he held interviews and wrote letters from his jail cell, denouncing slavery and captivating the country with his dedication and resolve.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

Given the stakes, a cagey start would have been excused, but these old rivals had other ideas during a thunderously captivating first half.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

The two events offered some of the most captivating work in recent memory, from paintings that integrate AI to head-spinning ceramic sculptures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

But publishers found the account less than captivating.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Vocabulary lists containing captivating

A Doll's House

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The Tale of Despereaux

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