captivate
verb (used with object)
to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant.
had captivated
-
past perfectof captivate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
For weeks now, his game-breaking talent and insatiable appetite for goals had captivated America.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
Then to the clubhouse, where he joined club members in the Grill Room to discuss the dramatic preceding hours that had captivated the sporting world.
From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2025
As he worked his way through Delhi’s streets and narrow alleyways, he revisited the tea shop that had captivated him as a boy — Aap ki pasand, the Hindi phrase for “as you like.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2023
Coast Guard said on Thursday that a remote-controlled vehicle found debris from the Titan near the wreckage of the Titanic, ending a four-day, multinational search for the 22-foot watercraft that had captivated people worldwide.
From New York Times ● Jun. 23, 2023
One thing she did not know was that the gang’s way of life had captivated me wholly, particularly their philosophy on school: they hated it and considered an education a waste of time.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
