Enthrall
v.joyful, energeticliterary
What it means
To delight and hold someone's complete attention.
Reach for it when praising a performance or story with irresistible sustained appeal
The storyteller could enthrall listeners with one quiet sentence.
Choose between these
6- playful
have them hooked
when informal speech can stress continued attention
not when The idiom is casual and can carry addiction associations.
- everyday
when curiosity and wonder are the main response
not when Fascination may remain intellectual rather than delighted.
- warm
when charm or beauty holds attention
not when Captivate is slightly gentler and can concern a brief first impression.
- professional
absorb
when concentration becomes complete
not when Difficult work can absorb attention without providing delight.
- literary
when attention seems trance-like
not when Mesmerize can imply passivity and overstates ordinary engagement.
- literary
spellbind
when magical narrative power deserves vivid praise
not when Spellbind is highly figurative and can sound melodramatic.
Said against
4- bore
- repel
- distract
- disenchant
It naturally appears in
3- enthrall an audience
The quiet puppetry managed to enthrall an audience of every age.
- continue to enthrall
The century-old tale continues to enthrall new readers.
- enthrall listeners
Her precise account enthralled listeners without exaggeration.