fascinate

[fas-uh-neyt] / ˈfæs əˌneɪt /

VERB

captivate, hold spellbound

Synonyms

STRONGEST

animate attract beguile bewitch charm delight enamor enchant engage engross enrapture enthrall entice excite infatuate intoxicate intrigue mesmerize overwhelm please rivet seduce tantalize tempt thrill titillate transfix

STRONG

absorb allure arouse attach compel draw enslave ensnare entrance fire gladden hypnotize interest invite kindle lure overpower pique provoke ravish spellbind stimulate stir subdue transport win

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore deaden depress discourage disenchant disgust displease forget offend refuse reject repel repulse turn off

STRONG

calm delight deter dissuade free incite let go liberate prevent release stop

WEAK

disenthrall disinterest tire

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.

But a large part of the philosopher’s enduring power to fascinate concerns the man himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

But the subject also appears to fascinate him.

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

And the wrap dress continues to fascinate new generations of women.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2024

The great African apes, which includes gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos are renowned for their intelligence and fascinate both scientists and laypeople because of their physical and genetic similarities with humans.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2024

These and other discoveries add details, which continue to fascinate me, to our understanding of how agriculture’s rise triggered the rise of agriculturally based complex societies in the ancient world.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Vocabulary lists containing fascinate

Woman Hollering Creek

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I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005

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Lessons 2–3

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