attract

Synonym Chooser

How is the word attract different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of attract are allure, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use allure instead of attract?

While the synonyms allure and attract are close in meaning, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of attract?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

Where would enchant be a reasonable alternative to attract?

The synonyms enchant and attract are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When might fascinate be a better fit than attract?

Although the words fascinate and attract have much in common, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attract Isotopes in the bones of people buried there show that the city attracted people from far and wide, both commoners and elites. Lizzie Wade, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025 That attracts me because of my own marginalized background. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 22 May 2025 Pollution for the pier remains a problem, worsened by urban runoff and high levels of water-contaminating activities, such as the disposal of fish guts from recreational fishing, which attracts seabirds. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Fennel Like zinnias, fennel attracts many beneficial pollinators to the garden. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
Verb
  • The Navy also has spent considerably more than the others to entice sailors to reenlist, doling out retention bonuses to roughly 70,000 service members for each of the past three years.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
  • Duffy recently announced a sweeping program to upgrade the agency's technology infrastructure, as well as hiring incentives to entice more would-be air traffic controllers.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • One name that could interest Golden State is guard Derrick White from the Boston Celtics.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
  • Perhaps Trump's memo will surface more novel tactics that interest the administration.
    Ashley Belanger – May 20, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attract

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