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 The couple also addressed the media attention their relationship has attracted, with Travis Kelce admitting that Swift is the professional when brushing off the negative attention. Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025 For now, Steffes is focused on attracting younger customers to the restaurant. Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025 Specifically, the livestream — which attracted over a million viewers who watched in real time — cut out around 8:45 p.m. ET. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025 Newcastle’s match in Suwon against an all-star team from the local K-League earlier in the week attracted just 27,000 fans. Steve Price, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attract
Verb
  • As investors dissect the offering (and as Figma’s stock settles back a bit, falling 27% on Monday), an equally important set of questions are in the air: Will Figma’s debut entice other startups to jump into the fray, bringing an end to the tech industry’s IPO drought?
    Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
  • With the current economic slowdown, will the Live Local law entice more developers to build workforce housing?
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The part of the celebrations that most interests my home entertainment channel, though, is the launch on October 7 of the film’s new 4K Blu-ray edition.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • If baseball doesn't interest you, the WNBA has a standalone game with the Minnesota Lynx visiting the Las Vegas Aces.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attract. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attract

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