captivating
adjective
cap·ti·vat·ing
ˈkap-tə-ˌvā-tiŋ 
: charmingly or irresistibly appealing
a captivating aroma
It's an utterly exotic combination of flavors, and a completely captivating one.—
Howard Seftel
Howard SeftelBooks with captivating stories and bright, uncomplicated artwork will enchant the very young without being too demanding.—Ed Zotti
Ed ZottiA captivating storyteller, he conveys the cozy domesticity of the small-time growers as well as the Technicolor style of life of the big deal-makers.—Alison Friesinger
Alison Friesinger
captivatingly
adverb
a captivatingly sweet voice
Each room is named for a month, and January through December are captivatingly filled with fanciful hearts, flowers, and vines that trail over the beds, chests, and wardrobes.
—Mimi Elder
Mimi Elder
Synonyms
Examples of captivating in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Limited to 999 pieces, the highly functional and captivating traveler’s timepiece features a 43 mm rose-gold case and a domed crystal with a lacquered blue dial underneath.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2024
The oceanside five-bedroom, eight-bathroom home — which is listed for $19.95 million — offers captivating views of the Pacific and more.
—Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
With its captivating storytelling and vibrant illustrations, this book sparks imagination and curiosity while highlighting valuable life lessons.
—Lilian Gonzalez, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Orcas, commonly known as killer whales, are among the ocean's most captivating inhabitants.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
Martin Scorsese’s personal journey through the films of Powell and Pressburger, the visionary British filmmakers behind classics like The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus, offers a captivating exploration of their genius and enduring influence on cinema.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Fashion has historically been a captivating method with which to process weighty questions about the effects of consumer capitalism and globalization.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Their latest, at San Jose’s trendy Santana Row, is an upscale grill and lounge that delivers a captivating sensory experience.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Sure, the superstar — or highly suspect immune cell — is captivating, but viewers could miss important plays elsewhere on the court.
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2024
The oceanside five-bedroom, eight-bathroom home — which is listed for $19.95 million — offers captivating views of the Pacific and more.
—Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
With its captivating storytelling and vibrant illustrations, this book sparks imagination and curiosity while highlighting valuable life lessons.
—Lilian Gonzalez, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Orcas, commonly known as killer whales, are among the ocean's most captivating inhabitants.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
Martin Scorsese’s personal journey through the films of Powell and Pressburger, the visionary British filmmakers behind classics like The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus, offers a captivating exploration of their genius and enduring influence on cinema.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Fashion has historically been a captivating method with which to process weighty questions about the effects of consumer capitalism and globalization.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Their latest, at San Jose’s trendy Santana Row, is an upscale grill and lounge that delivers a captivating sensory experience.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Sure, the superstar — or highly suspect immune cell — is captivating, but viewers could miss important plays elsewhere on the court.
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'captivating.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near captivating
Cite this Entry
“Captivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivating. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share