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Synonyms

spellbinder

American  
[spel-bahyn-der] / ˈspɛlˌbaɪn dər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that spellbinds, especially a powerful speaker who can captivate an audience.


spellbinder British  
/ ˈspɛlˌbaɪndə /

noun

  1. a person capable of holding others spellbound, esp a political speaker

  2. a novel, play, etc, that holds one enthralled

"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

Etymology

Origin of spellbinder

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; spellbind + -er 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.

“Kingdom of the Blind” is the 14th mystery in the Inspector Gamache series — and it’s a spellbinder.

From Washington Post • Nov. 27, 2018

This performance was, more often than not, a spellbinder.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2017

But any worries that the spellbinder who created the “Leenane” trilogy and “The Pillowman” might have lost his gift for holding an audience in his demented thrall are vanquished almost as soon as “Hangmen” begins.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2016

In which case Hodgson will use the Mascherano bounty to mount a bid for Carlton Cole, whose similarity to a nifty Brazilian spellbinder is plain to see.

From The Guardian • Aug. 10, 2010

The new spellbinder was anxious to speak whenever there was an occasion, and often when there was none at all.

From The Candidate A Political Romance by Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)