captivate
verb (used with object)
to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant.
were captivating
-
past progressiveof captivate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Norway’s Erling Haaland and Cape Verde’s Vozinha were captivating while Egypt and Canada both won World Cup games for the first time, advancing to the round of 16.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Beyond his sound, the directness and charismatic intensity of his singing were captivating.
From New York Times ● Dec. 15, 2021
These lost-and-found bins were captivating reminders that there was still wonder in the world and mysteries to be solved and perhaps even satisfying endings to look forward to.
From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2021
Jefferson, and Martin Luther King, Jr. The results were captivating, despite gusts of wind that occasionally sent music stands tumbling.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 10, 2017
He had warned her against these gauds which were captivating her spirit, and now, in the moment of her peril, she would remember his warnings.
From Lady Anna by Anthony Trollope
