captivate
verb (used with object)
to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant.
captivated
-
past participleof captivate.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof captivate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
captivateverb (used with object)to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant.
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 casting directors were captivated by his energy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
A Las Vegas jury on Monday found a onetime Compton gang leader guilty in the slaying of rapper Tupac Shakur, marking a turning point in a murder mystery that captivated the public’s attention for decades.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
He wants the judge to enter a not-guilty verdict, essentially dismissing the case after a weeks-long, televised trial that has captivated Americans.
From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026
“One of the things that captivated me about food was that it brings people together.”
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026
Although my father could neither read nor write, he was reputed to be an excellent orator who captivated his audiences by entertaining them as well as teaching them.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
