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Synonyms

captivate

American  
[kap-tuh-veyt] / ˈkæp təˌveɪt /

verb (used with object)

captivated, captivating

  1. to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant.

    Her blue eyes and red hair captivated him.
    Synonyms:
    charm, bewitch, fascinate

  2. Obsolete. to capture; subjugate.

    Synonyms:
    subdue
captivate British  
/ ˈkæptɪˌveɪt /

verb

  1. to hold the attention of by fascinating; enchant

  2. an obsolete word for capture

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • captivatingly adverb
  • captivation noun
  • captivative adjective
  • captivator noun
  • uncaptivated adjective
  • uncaptivative adjective

Etymology

Origin of captivate

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin captīvātus (past participle of captīvāre “to take captive”), equivalent to Latin captīv(us) captive + -ātus -ate 1

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.

It may not be for everyone, but dome-based entertainment clearly has the power to captivate some.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Marked by its stark staging and ritualistic intensity, the work remains one of the most enduring interpretations of Ravel's best-known work and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

There were TVs all over the place, playing whatever advocates could think of to try to captivate the attention of these kids.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

“Nestled in prestigious Sullivan Canyon, this grand private and gated estate is a visual treasure trove, where every corner reveals a multitude of intricate details designed to captivate and inspire,” it noted.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 20, 2025

She strung humorous stories along the road like a bright wash and tried to captivate us.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.