as in riveting
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Dissimilar Words
as in enchantment
Related Words
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
the tale about pirates and their buried treasure had completely spellbound the children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spellbinding
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
This spellbinding psychological thriller unfolds like a pulpy mystery novel, where the dynamic between the characters is even more intriguing than the mystery.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After seeing other bakers promote their bakeries and cake decorating skills on social media through different creative video series, Alexis Oltmanns, the head cake decorator at Sugarjones in Loves Park, decided to do the same with her own spellbinding spin on the trend.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2026
Experiencing the Valley of the Kings, the Avenue of Sphinxes, and the Colossi of Memnon beneath a spellbinding ring of light promises to be one of the most sublime journeys imaginable.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Adjective
Honey in the Wound is a spellbinding debut about survival, family, magic, and the meaning of home.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
This spellbinding psychological thriller unfolds like a pulpy mystery novel, where the dynamic between the characters is even more intriguing than the mystery.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
The outlines of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 are already seared into the American psyche, but this spellbinding book adds fascinating texture and provides a salutary warning for policymakers today.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After seeing other bakers promote their bakeries and cake decorating skills on social media through different creative video series, Alexis Oltmanns, the head cake decorator at Sugarjones in Loves Park, decided to do the same with her own spellbinding spin on the trend.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
McRae leveled up like few other pop artists in 2025, realizing her full star potential in spellbinding fashion across various singles, albums and performances — and proving pop still had a place in its center for the daughters of Britney and Xtina.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2026
Experiencing the Valley of the Kings, the Avenue of Sphinxes, and the Colossi of Memnon beneath a spellbinding ring of light promises to be one of the most sublime journeys imaginable.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spellbinding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spellbinding
Adjective
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Yet Gosling is riveting as a man in free fall, someone whose apologies for his bad behavior are beginning to wear thin on his co-workers, friends, and family.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
She gets roughed up by the homeless shelter’s resident sociopath (Lea Delaria, who is riveting) and meets comrades like the sweet Nova (Demi Lovato) and the combative Denise (Ariana DeBose), who’s as difficult as Amanda is.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These days, many people who love the North Rim speak of it as a lost world, a kingdom whose enchantments have gone up in smoke and whose luster will never be the same.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
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Each card in this deck features legendary Ghibli scenes to bring the enchantment of Miyazaki’s fantastical worlds into your favorite fan’s hands.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The melodic closer had the huge crowd energized and swaying along, as the nearly 50-foot stage, fully adorned in LED lights, beamed hypnotic celestial imagery in neon blue.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
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Eric Magnuson’s fair gripe in The Atlantic last week pointed me to this hypnotic novella from one of our best fever dreamers.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her work, then, is the work of resuscitation via bewitchment.—
Ocean Vuong,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
-
But if there is some kind of bewitchment going on in these encounters, Evelyn is entirely immune.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This enchanting 500-year-old Grade II cottage is set in 12 acres of mature gardens and land – including paddocks, a kitchen garden, and access with frontage on the River Arun (including fishing rights), ideal for kayaking and other water pursuits.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For the Apple team, the second demo was truly enthralling.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Jean is an enthralling account of an artist learning to be less precious about linear healing and emotions that don’t lend themselves to that process.—
Larisha Paul,
VIBE.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There is a quality of trance, of autohypnosis, in her style.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Spellbinding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spellbinding. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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