fascinate

verb

fas·ci·nate | \ ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt

fascinated; fascinating\ ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ

, ˈfa-sə-ˌnā- \

Definition of fascinate

transitive verb

1a : to command the interest of : allure was fascinated by carnivals The kids were fascinated with their new toy.

b : to transfix (see transfix sense 1) and hold spellbound by an irresistible power believed that the serpent could fascinate its prey

2 obsolete : bewitch

intransitive verb

: to be irresistibly attractive the novel's flamboyant cover fascinates

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about fascinate

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Choose the Right Synonym for fascinate

attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence. attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another. students attracted by the school's locale allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive. an alluring smile charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response charmed by their hospitality , but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration. her performances captivated audiences fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist. a story that continues to fascinate children enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject. hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Examples of fascinate in a Sentence

a question that fascinates both biologists and anthropologists Her paintings never fail to fascinate.

Recent Examples on the Web

It is estimated that only about one-tenth of all mushrooms have been discovered, and part of their mystery is also what fascinates Martin. — Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida’s fungi: Learn more about mushrooms with Central Florida’s ‘Fungi Jon’," 11 Sep. 2019 If Zimbabwe fascinates economists for all the wrong reasons, Botswana interests political scientists for all the right ones. — The Economist, "The battle of Botswana’s big men," 29 Aug. 2019 Ancient stone structures have a way of fascinating the modern world. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Crane Has Been Perfect Since 700 B.C.," 27 Aug. 2019 Celmins was terrified of the airplanes and fascinated by them at the same time. — Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, "Vija Celmins’s Surface Matters," 26 Aug. 2019 Revel in the acoustics of Boston’s Symphony Hall Home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall is a mecca for someone like me who is fascinated by aural architecture. — Trevor Cox, National Geographic, "15 musical wonders to see—and hear," 31 July 2019 But what Honnold and other pioneering extreme athletes have accomplished seems to both fascinate and alarm members of the public. — Elliott Almond, The Mercury News, "“Free Solo” climbing star takes big risks, but do they encourage kids to follow suit?," 18 June 2019 When Ingber was an undergraduate at Yale studying molecular biophysics and biochemistry, he was fascinated by the arts. — Wendy Moonan, Smithsonian, "How Biology Inspires Future Technology," 27 Aug. 2019 As a dance critic, I’m fascinated by this video, just one of several works that connect Glenstone to the dance world. — Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, "Glenstone’s connections to dance, now and on the horizon," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fascinate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for fascinate

fascinate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of fascinate

: to cause (someone) to be very interested in something or someone

See the full definition for fascinate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fascinate

verb

fas·ci·nate | \ ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt

fascinated; fascinating

Kids Definition of fascinate

1 : to seize and hold the attention of

2 : to attract greatly

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fascinate

Definition of fascinate

Synonyms for fascinate

Choose the Right Synonym for fascinate

Examples of fascinate in a Sentence

First Known Use of fascinate

History and Etymology for fascinate

English Language Learners Definition of fascinate

Kids Definition of fascinate

fascinate

Definition of fascinate

Synonyms for fascinate

Choose the Right Synonym for fascinate

Examples of fascinate in a Sentence

First Known Use of fascinate

History and Etymology for fascinate

English Language Learners Definition of fascinate

Kids Definition of fascinate

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