fascinate

fas·ci·nate (fas′ə nāt′)

transitive verb -·nat′ed, -·nat′·ing

Obsolete to put under a spell; bewitch
to attract or hold motionless, as by a fixed look or by inspiring terror
to hold the attention of by being very interesting or delightful; charm; captivate

Etymology: < L fascinatus, pp. of fascinare, to bewitch, charm < fascinum, a charm < ? or akin to Gr baskanos, sorcerer

fas′·ci·nat′·ingly adverb

charm, entrance, captivate, enthrall, intrigue, interest, enchant, bewitch, ravish, enrapture, beguile, delight, overpower, subdue, enslave, please, attract, compel, lure, allure, seduce, entice, tempt, ensnare, draw, attach, invite, engage, absorb, engross, grip, excite, titillate, stimulate, overwhelm, provoke, animate, arouse, intoxicate, thrill, fire, stir, kindle, pique, pique one's interest, tantalize, transport, appeal to, win, influence, gain ascendancy over, hold spellbound, transfix, mesmerize, engage the thoughts, invite attention, capture, coax, tease, make one's mouth water*, lead on*, make a hit*, knock dead*, raise to fever heat*, cast a spell over, catch one's eye, inflame with love, carry away*, bait the hook*, grab*, turn one on*, sweep off one's feet*, knock one's socks off*.

Antonyms disgust*, repel*, bore*, weary. See syn. study at attract.attract.

Object

horror: As he watched in fascinated horror, her lower jaw elongated, taking the bottom part of her face with it.
million: The ancient art of origami has fascinated millions of people around the world, for centuries.
audience: There are even fewer that have held enough magic to fascinate a global audience for decades.
reader: The way poetry was presented to readers also fascinated me.
scholar: As a scholar fascinated by medieval life, Walpole greatly influenced the Gothic revival of the late 1700's.
visitor: Parys Mountain is a special place, which has fascinated visitors for hundreds of years.

Subject

mystery: How could we not be fascinated by this mystery?
magic: I had been fascinated by gospel magic as a child and had the obligatory Paul Daniel's magic sat at one point!
tale: He had always been fascinated by the rural old wives tale that milkmaids could not get smallpox.
idea: I have always been fascinated by the idea of glory.
sight: Be fascinated by the sights on our daily excursions, all accompanied by your personal tour guide.

Infinitive complement

hear: I'll be fascinated to hear what they say.
discover: I was fascinated to discover that people in the west had their own martial arts history.

Modifying Another Word

endlessly: Still, you can always tick the options box if you're endlessly fascinated with technological consumerism.
utterly: As you've probably realized if you have traveled extensively around this site, I am utterly fascinated by the Anglo-Catholic movement.

Preposition: by

mystery: How could we not be fascinated by this mystery?
magic: I had been fascinated by gospel magic as a child and had the obligatory Paul Daniel's magic sat at one point!
tale: He had always been fascinated by the rural old wives tale that milkmaids could not get smallpox.
idea: I have always been fascinated by the idea of glory.
sight: Be fascinated by the sights on our daily excursions, all accompanied by your personal tour guide.

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