Skip to main content
captivatingly

captivatingly

6.3
In a way that attracts and holds people's attention
  • adverb
  • /ˈkæptɪˌveɪtɪŋli/
translation icon : cautivadoramente
  • Michael Ondaatje was largely educated and lives in a developed-world location, yet his personal ties to Sri Lanka—evoked so captivatingly in Running in the Family—enable him to see and voice both sides of the story, as it were.

Examples

  • He spoke captivatingly about his travels, holding everyone's attention in the crowded room.

  • She was captivatingly beautiful that evening, as she always was; the young man at the end of the table did little more than smoke cigarettes and watch her.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The dancer moved captivatingly across the stage, mesmerizing the audience with her grace.

  • The novel was written captivatingly, drawing readers into its enchanting world from the first page.

Synonyms

interestingly
vscaptivatingly
130 1.0

In a way that makes people want to know more

engages feelings more deeply rather than just interest
strikingly
vscaptivatingly
25 3.9

In a very noticeable way that attracts attention

attracts by charm and fascination rather than mere noticeability
stunningly
vscaptivatingly
23 4.4

In a very beautiful or impressive way

relies more on lasting allure than sudden visual shock
breathtakingly
vscaptivatingly
8 4.2

In a very beautiful or amazing way

is captivating too but less about shock or awe
intriguingly
vscaptivatingly
3 4.1

In a way that makes you curious or interested

enchants rather than merely provoking curiosity
dazzlingly
vscaptivatingly
2 5.3

In a very bright and impressive way

enchants more by fascination than by sheer impressiveness
appealingly
vscaptivatingly
2 3.8

In a way that looks pleasant and attracts people

creates deeper fascination rather than general pleasantness
fascinatingly
vscaptivatingly
1 4.2

In a way that makes people feel very interested

focuses more on charm and enchantment than mere interest
engagingly
vscaptivatingly
1 4.6

In a way that attracts attention and makes people interested

is more about mesmerizing fascination than friendly charm
enticingly
vscaptivatingly
1 4.4

In a way that makes someone want something

attracts attention more through fascination than temptation
enchantingly
vscaptivatingly
1 5.8

In a charming way that delights people and holds their attention

leans more toward fascination than simple pleasantness
grippingly
vscaptivatingly
1 4.6

In a way that keeps you very interested

captures attention too but with quieter, bewitching appeal
ravishingly
vscaptivatingly
1 7.5

In a very beautiful and attractive way that pleases people

focuses more on charm rather than sustained attention
enthrallingly
vscaptivatingly
7.7

In a way that holds the attention very strongly

is similarly attractive but less intensely binding
engrossingly
vscaptivatingly
6.5

In a way that holds your full attention

holds attention too but with gentler fascination
bewitchingly
vscaptivatingly
8.0

In a very charming, almost magical way that attracts people

shares mystical charm but is less overtly magical
arrestingly
vscaptivatingly
7.3

In a way that makes people stop and look

holds attention longer through charm rather than surprise
eye-catchingly
vscaptivatingly
5.5

In a way that makes people notice something

works through bewitching appeal rather than just visual notice

Antonyms

In a way that looks plain or unpleasant to others

How Captivating

enchantingly
1 5.8
captivatingly
6.3
engagingly
1 4.6
interestingly
130 1.0

Surface Forms

captivatingly positive

Morphology

captivatingly = captivating (transparent) = captivate + ing + ly

The transformation from 'captivating' to 'captivatingly' is straightforward, indicating the manner of the action.

Etymology

Captivatingly comes from captivate, which goes back to the old Latin word capere, meaning 'to take', and is the same root as capture. So to do something captivatingly is to 'take' and hold someone's attention in a charming way.