ATTRACT Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

attract

verb

Definition of attract next

as in to entice

to engage the attention of The park's natural wonders attract many tourists. The blackbird puts on a colorful display in its attempt to attract a mate.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples 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 The legal battle over TikTok has attracted unusual attention due to its political and cultural significance. —

Nik Popli, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025 Instead of asking someone why young people are leaving one political party for another, says one of these people, an anchor might instead solicit responses on what one political party is doing to attract that demographic. —

Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025 Some glowing mushrooms are believed to attract insects to disperse spores, but bioluminescence occurring in parts of the fungi that are underground does not fit this hypothesis. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025 The owners hope to attract a coffee shop or bakery to street-level retail space. —

Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for attract