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enthralling

enthralling

7 5.8
Very interesting in a way that keeps your attention
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈθrɔlɪŋ/
translation icon : fascinante
  • The magician's performance was so enthralling that the audience was completely silent.

Suffice it to say there is something enthralling about Socrates himself.

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Examples

  • As always with Mr. Skutnik's work, it's the small details that make the game so enthralling.

    Blog text (27)
  • The sensation was as new as going to sea had been, but it was far more enthralling.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Not for a long time have I seen anything as enthralling."

  • I find this case enthralling.

  • In these early days, though, problems were few and the experience was enthralling.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • His summer job was less enthralling than hers.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Never had he dreamed that anything could be so enthralling.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The storytelling, as usual, has been enthralling, and the landscape is amazing.

    Blog text (32)
  • They can tell enthralling stories like that.

  • That's the most enthralling story I've ever heard.

Synonyms

fascinating
vsenthralling
577 2.0

Very interesting in a way that keeps your attention

is nearly identical but uses broader, general fascination tone
enchanting
vsenthralling
22 3.7

Very attractive in a way that feels like magic

is similar but may lack the explicit charm or magic focus
riveting
vsenthralling
19 5.6

Makes you unable to stop paying attention

is alike but often stresses emotional excitement over charm
captivating
vsenthralling
14 4.2

Holding people's attention because it is pleasant and interesting

is the same strong attention but with longer emotional pull
hypnotic
vsenthralling
14 6.1

Keeping your attention so you cannot look away

is similar but names the quality rather than the action
mesmerizing
vsenthralling
  • US
12 5.5

A person or thing that holds your full attention as if by magic

is like it but stresses magical or mental effect
engaging
vsenthralling
12 3.5

Holding your attention because it is pleasant or interesting

is similar but suggests milder, friendlier attention
engrossing
vsenthralling
8 5.1

So interesting that it holds your full attention

is similar but may imply active absorption rather than charm
intriguing
vsenthralling
7 2.7

Making you want to know more because it seems strange or mysterious

is related but focuses on curiosity rather than full capture
spellbinding
vsenthralling
4 5.8

Makes you watch and listen because it feels like magic

is similar but focuses on deep, lasting wonder
entrancing
vsenthralling
1 5.8

So beautiful or interesting that it holds your full attention

is similar but highlights beauty causing the hold
bewitching
vsenthralling
1 6.6

Very attractive in a way that seems to cast a spell

is like this but often sounds more old-fashioned or dramatic
absorbing
vsenthralling
3.9

Very interesting and keeps your full attention

is the same intensity but not necessarily charming
hypnotizing
vsenthralling
4.7

Holding your attention so you cannot stop looking or thinking

is like it but may be less physical or trance-like

Antonyms

721 1.0

Not interesting and making you feel tired or impatient

20 1.4

Not exciting and likely to make people bored

How Captivating

enthralling
7 5.8
fascinating
577 2.0
captivating
14 4.2
engaging
12 3.5
intriguing
7 2.7
interesting
1.0

Surface Forms

enthralling positive
enthraller comparative
enthrallest superlative

Morphology

enthralling = enthrall (transparent) = en + thrall + ing

The adjective is formed by adding the productive suffix '-ing' to the verb 'enthrall', so the meaning 'captivating' is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

Enthralling comes from enthrall, made of en- 'in' and thrall 'slave', because a thrall was someone completely controlled by another. So if something is enthralling, it 'holds' you like a slave, which is why it means 'captivating' or 'holding your attention completely'.