Definition

Adjective: 1. Captivating or fascinating to the point of holding one's complete attention: Describes something that attracts and holds interest as if by magic or a spell, making it difficult to look away or stop listening. 2. Mesmerizing or hypnotic: Having a quality that completely absorbs the mind or senses.

Usage and Examples

• As an adjective describing a performance or speaker:
  • The magician gave a spellbinding performance that left the audience in awe.
  • The politician delivered a spellbinding speech that captivated the entire nation.
• As an adjective describing a story, book, or narrative:
  • She wrote a spellbinding novel that I couldn't put down.
  • The documentary provided a spellbinding account of the deep-sea expedition.
• As an adjective describing a person's presence or charm:
  • The actor has a spellbinding charisma on stage.

Advanced Usage

• "To hold someone spellbound": This is a common verbal phrase where "spellbinding" is implied. It means to captivate someone completely.
  • The storyteller held the children spellbound with her tales of adventure. (Here, the effect is "spellbinding.")

Variants and Related Words

• Spellbind (verb): To hold the complete attention of someone as if by magic.
  • The speaker's words spellbound the crowd.
• Spellbound (adjective): Describes the state of being completely fascinated or captivated.
  • The spellbound audience didn't make a sound.

Synonyms

• Mesmerizing: Holding attention as if hypnotized.
• Captivating: Attracting and holding interest by being beautiful or interesting.
• Enthralling: Capturing interest as if in slavery or bondage.
• Gripping: Firmly holding the interest or attention.
• Riveting: Commanding complete attention.

Antonyms

• Boring: Not interesting; tedious.
• Dull: Lacking interest or excitement.
• Tiresome: Causing one to feel bored or annoyed.
• Uninteresting: Failing to attract attention or interest.

Adjective

1. attracting and holding interest as if by a spell
   • read the bedtime story in a hypnotic voice
   • she had a warm mesmeric charm
   • the sheer force of his presence was mesmerizing
   • a spellbinding description of life in ancient Rome