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.

An investigation into alleged police corruption in South Africa has had the nation captivated - much like the second season of a successful Netflix crime drama.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

His campaign has captivated residents who are frustrated with the slow pace of fire recovery and with Bass, who was out of the country when the fires started and whose approval ratings plunged afterward.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Notably, the chanteuse captivated audiences singing Henry Mancini and Don Black’s “Nothing to Lose” in the 1968 comedy “The Party,” in which she played an aspiring actress.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Once a powerful lawyer, the 56-year-old and his legal troubles captivated a global audience and inspired documentaries, podcasts and book deals.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

She followed shows she had watched in Nigeria—The Fresh Prince of Bel Air; A Different World—and discovered new shows she had not known—Friends, The Simpsons—but it was the commercials that captivated her.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie