charm 1 of 2

1
as in amulet
something worn or kept to bring good luck or keep away evil an old cap that I use as a charm for whenever I play softball

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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as in pendant
an ornament worn on a chain around the neck or wrist a dangling charm in the figure of a horse on her bracelet

Synonyms & Similar Words

charm

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of charm are allure, attract, captivate, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," 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

When could allure be used to replace charm?

Although the words allure and charm have much in common, allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When can attract be used instead of charm?

The words attract and charm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

When might enchant be a better fit than charm?

While in some cases nearly identical to charm, 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 would fascinate be a good substitute for charm?

The synonyms fascinate and charm are sometimes interchangeable, but fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

Examples of charm in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
As a baseball player, he’s brought charm, love, and good spirits to fans through his music, uniting both worlds effortlessly. Anto Dotcom, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024 After visiting Bocas del Toro on a friend's recommendation, Kauffman fell in love with the island's charm. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Williams was respectful and responsive to coaches and charmed just about everyone with his combination of self-confidence and humility. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024 Audiences were charmed by York's portrayal of the awkward, reactive, but kind-hearted Darrin. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for charm 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charm
Noun
  • Rome says the amulet holders are going to burn their advantages tonight so that the heat’s off their back.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Oct. 2024
  • The series follows a young woman who discovers a magical amulet that belonged to her great-grandfather and uses it to enter a fantastical new world.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • In Minnesota, companies offering veteran benefit services or appeal services are required by law to disclose this fact before accepting payment from a veteran.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Love them or hate them, Apple’s peripherals have a distinctive visual appeal, and that’s especially true of the Magic Trackpad.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • While casting a spell through witches, fantasy and Italian folklore, the project is said to touch on universal themes of grief, community, love and family.
    Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
  • The two elders stand together over a blender and cast a spell: Eye of newt, toe of frog, wing of bat, tongue of dog.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The pendant went under the hammer during the Royal and Noble collection sale and fetched a whopping £163,800 (about $200,000), which was more than double its pre-auction estimate.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Kardashian flipped the pendant over to show the engraving, which also featured the date the necklace had been gifted beneath North's message.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Advertisement As a child he was fascinated by Native American traditions, which made far more sense to him than the pageantry of the church.
    Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
  • From the ages of 5 to 15, I was captivated by baseball cards, fascinated by their value appreciation and the prospect of selling them.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • But foreign experts say the test failed to show North Korea has mastered some of the last remaining technological hurdles to possess functioning ICBMs that can strike the mainland United States.
    HYUNG-JIN KIM AND KIM TONG-HYUNG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
  • The property, originally built in 1917, possessed no shortage of historical intrigue.
    Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Emerging from a need for an artistic outlet during a time of loss, the totems became symbolic talismans of her own transformation.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
  • The charms are metallic versions of seeds including samara, clover and poppy, but inside the bag is a transparent acrylic drop containing an actual dandelion egret, designed to work like a talisman.
    Joelle Diderich, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Explore Danny Ocean Maria Becerra See latest videos, charts and news Day One: A Taste of Cuba with Vicky Bakery The festivities kicked off with the beloved Vicky Bakery, a cherished Cuban gem that has been enchanting taste buds since 1972.
    Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The dance of shadow and light of the handcrafted candleholders dreamed up by artist Pietro Ruffo will enchant, featuring illustrations of 30 Avenue Montaigne, La Colle Noire and a design inspired by the French royal gardens.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near charm

Cite this Entry

“Charm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charm. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

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