Captivating
What it means
Compelling enough to keep attention willingly fixed.
Reach for it when praising a story, performance, view, or person whose appeal sustains interest
The guide gave a captivating account of how the wetland returned.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when the subject awakens intense curiosity
Careful Fascinating can describe grim evidence that is not charming or pleasurable.
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everyday
Fits when suspense or force makes looking away difficult
Careful The intensity does not suit gentle scenery or quiet personal charm.
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professional
Fits when sustained mental involvement is the key effect
Careful Absorbing says little about warmth, beauty, or charisma.
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professional
Fits when material holds attention in an accessible way
Careful Engaging is measured praise and may undersell a truly magnetic presence.
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formal
Fits when attraction and invitation are more prominent than substance
Careful Alluring can sound sensual or temptingly deceptive in the wrong context.
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literary
Fits when beauty or charm creates a magical feeling
Careful Enchanting is too fanciful for a rigorous but absorbing explanation.
Opposites 3
- boring
- tedious
- repellent
Common phrases 3
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captivating story
Her captivating story made the long train ride feel brief.
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captivating performance
The quartet gave a captivating performance in the small chapel.
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visually captivating
The exhibition is visually captivating without overwhelming the artifacts.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: BirdHopper, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated