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to fascinate

to fascinate

238 3.4
To attract and hold someone's strong interest or attention
  • verb
  • /ˈfæsɪˌneɪt/
translation icon : fascinar
  • We might even begin with a topic that we know fascinates youngsters: the structure of our physical body.
  • continue to fascinate
  • become fascinated
  • fascinates researchers

So, but I love anything that gets people fascinated with running movement, activity.

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Examples

  • I'm always fascinated when people say what they think they really need.

  • Mapping the universe will undoubtedly keep us busy, awed, and fascinated for a long time to come.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Those people fascinate me, those people who are able to put themselves in the place like that.

  • I'm a writer, and extreme characters always fascinate me.

  • In fact, most people seemed fascinated.

  • I think the only other area that fascinates people even more than sleep and is dreaming.

  • Consider this statement: Humans are fascinated by the idea of other life in the universe.

    Academic text (2011)
  • This young girl was fascinated by this routine of royal households.

  • The old prophecies of Nostradamus fascinate me as they concern us now.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Her incredible storytelling ability will fascinate anyone who listens to her.

Synonyms

to attract
vsto fascinate
991 1.9

Make people notice or want something

describes a deeper pull that holds intense attention
to catch
vsto fascinate
244 2.0

To get someone's attention or interest

is deeper and more lasting intense attraction
to interest
vsto fascinate
206 1.0

To make someone want to know more about something

is stronger and implies a deeper, more consuming focus
to hold
vsto fascinate
201 2.2

To keep someone's attention

suggests intense attraction but not only duration
to intrigue
vsto fascinate
143 5.1

To make someone curious or interested

is deeper interest that goes beyond initial curiosity
to charm
vsto fascinate
71 2.2

To please people by being friendly and attractive

relies more on intense intellectual or emotional focus rather than pleasantness
to seize
vsto fascinate
68 3.8

Grab and hold someone's attention suddenly and strongly

refers to sustained intense interest rather than a sudden grab
to grip
vsto fascinate
50 6.0

To hold someone's attention or emotions strongly

means strong interest without the emotional freezing effect
to mesmerize
vsto fascinate
  • US
39 6.4

To hold someone's full attention as if by magic

means strong interest but not necessarily hypnotic
to capture
vsto fascinate
37 3.0

To attract and hold someone's interest or affection

focuses on strong interest specifically, not affection
to rivet
vsto fascinate
33 6.1

To hold someone's full attention because something is very interesting or surprising

indicates intense interest but not necessarily frozen in place
to pique
vsto fascinate
26 4.7

To make someone want to know more

is more powerful, creating sustained and intense interest
to bewitch
vsto fascinate
23 7.2

To attract and charm someone as if by magic

means intense interest without implying literal enchantment
to enthrall
vsto fascinate
20 6.8

To hold someone's full attention by being very interesting

means intense interest but not always total absorption
to captivate
vsto fascinate
19 4.2

To attract and hold someone's full attention

expresses strong interest but can be less charming or ornate
to engross
vsto fascinate
17 5.8

To hold someone's full attention

is intense interest but may allow partial focus elsewhere
to enchant
vsto fascinate
17 4.8

To make someone feel very pleased and amazed as if by magic

is focused on strong, absorbing interest rather than charm alone
to entrance
vsto fascinate
  • Literature
13 6.3

To fill someone with wonder and delight

is focused on intense interest rather than pure delight
to spellbind
vsto fascinate
1 7.0

To hold people completely interested as if by magic

is intense interest without implying magic or trance
to transfix
vsto fascinate
1 7.6

Cause someone to stand still because they feel amazed or scared

is intense interest that does not require physical stillness
to capture attention
vsto fascinate
1 3.2

To attract and keep people's interest

is intense attraction that often feels stronger or deeper
to keep someone hooked
vsto fascinate
  • Informal
1 4.6

Make someone want to keep watching or reading

is intense attraction that may begin immediately rather than persistently
to enamor
vsto fascinate
  • US
1 7.0

To make someone feel love and admiration for a person or thing

is mainly about strong attention and curiosity rather than affection
to enthral
vsto fascinate
  • US
7.2

Hold someone's attention completely and make them feel very interested

describes intense interest that may be less enchanting
to arouse interest
vsto fascinate
3.8

To make someone feel curious about something and want to know more

is stronger, producing deeper and longer attention

Antonyms

21 4.2

Make someone or something move back and stay away, often by using force

15 1.4

To make someone feel tired or not interested by being dull when you speak

How Interested

to mesmerize
  • US
39 6.4
to captivate
19 4.2
to fascinate
238 3.4
to interest
206 1.0
to intrigue
143 5.1

Surface Forms

fascinate infinitive
fascinated past
fascinated past participle
fascinating present participle
fascinates third person singular

Morphology

fascinate = fascin + ate

The verb is formed from the non-productive combining form 'fascin-' plus the learned suffix '-ate'; 'fascin' is not a standalone English word, so learners cannot transparently derive the meaning from familiar components.

Etymology

The word fascinate comes from the old Latin verb fascinare, which meant 'to bewitch' or 'to cast a spell'. So, to be fascinated is like being under a small 'spell' that grabs and keeps your attention.