enthral

USAGE SUMMARY

'enthral' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means to captivate, charm, or entrance someone. It is often used to describe the effect of a speech, performance, or other kind of art. Example sentence: The magician's performance enthralled the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A series that has already seen more swings and roundabouts than a Milton Keynes parks department lorry continues to enthral, undeterred by weather that has shifted from sun to rain and back to sun again and always with a brisk chill breeze.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet after Stalin's exit from the Bolshoi, an article in Pravda condemned the opera, declaring that the "ability of good music to enthral the masses is sacrificed on the altar of petty-bourgeois formalism".

The Economist

Nearly all the events listed on the recently released programme celebrate the heavily worthy sort of thing that authorities imagine will enthral visitors.

The Economist

They care a lot about the things that directly concern them, and rather little about the great public issues, or (more often) the nine-day scandals, that so enthral the media.

The Economist

But aside from the things that will enthral children – a gigantic Peach, of James and the Giant...; an upside-down room, of The Twits; a forest full of hooting owl and eerie night sounds, of Danny, the Champion of the World – the adult exhibition wrapped inside the children's one is no less wondrous, and more informing that one might have imagined.

Independent

They are strikingly lifelike and seem to symbolise the upcoming battle between two gloved gladiators that is set to enthral boxing and finally unify two versions of the world super-middleweight title.

Independent

Its essential visual rhythms enthral us: that back-and-forth pushing of the three warriors as they fight back against what seem to be near-impossible odds.

Independent

Its play of tricks and disguises, of stories that enthral but then deceive, connects it with the neo-Victorian Booker-winning epics of Carey or AS Byatt (in Possession).

Independent

Based on "The Legend of Alderley", one of many folk tales describing an army of knights sleeping under the hillside, his first novel has lost none of its power to enthral a young reader, as I discovered when I tried it out on a nine-year-old before coming here.

Independent

Woods used to enthral through his inevitability, but now he grips through his unpredictably.

Independent

Because Greenway, the sprawling Devon mansion where Agatha Christie used to enthral her guests with night-time readings of her unfinished manuscripts, has been opened to the public for the first time.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a captivating experience ensure you are using active voice in your writing in order to make your message even more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "enthral" when simpler words like "interest" or "engage" suffice. "Enthral" implies a powerful and captivating effect; reserve it for situations where something truly holds someone's attention completely.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enthral" is that of a transitive verb. It requires a direct object: something or someone that is being captivated. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "enthral" is used to describe how something holds someone's attention completely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Enthral" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb, particularly in news and media contexts, as noted by Ludwig. It describes the act of captivating or fascinating someone, holding their attention completely. While synonyms like "captivate" and "charm" exist, "enthral" carries a stronger connotation of complete absorption. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate use, suggesting it's a valuable tool for writers aiming to convey a sense of powerful captivation in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captivate

This term directly implies capturing attention and holding it, similar to "enthral" but with a stronger sense of initial engagement.

fascinate

Highlights the stimulation of interest and curiosity, drawing someone in through intrigue rather than pure charm.

enchant

Suggests a magical or mystical quality that fascinates, adding a layer of wonder not always present in "enthral".

spellbind

Similar to "enchant", this word evokes a sense of magic or enchantment that holds someone's attention as if under a spell.

charm

Focuses on a pleasing or attractive quality that delights, which is a softer, more gentle version of enthralling.

entrance

This term means to fill someone with wonder and delight, creating a sense of being transported or captivated.

mesmerize

Implies a hypnotic effect, holding someone's attention to the exclusion of everything else, which is a more intense form of enthralling.

hold spellbound

Suggests a captivated state as if under a magic spell, highlighting the captivating power of something to hold attention tightly.

captivate attention

This phrase emphasizes the act of seizing and maintaining someone's focus, which can be achieved through various captivating qualities.

keep in thrall

Focuses on maintaining someone's captivated state over a period of time, indicating a prolonged and sustained level of fascination.

FAQs

How can I use "enthral" in a sentence?

You can use "enthral" to describe something that captivates or fascinates someone, such as "The performance enthralled the audience" or "The speaker's words continued to "hold the audience".

What words are similar to "enthral"?

Synonyms for "enthral" include "captivate", "charm", "enchant", and "mesmerize". Each carries a slightly different nuance related to the type of captivating effect.

Is "enthralled" the correct past tense of "enthral"?

Yes, "enthralled" is the correct past tense and past participle of "enthral". For example, "The audience was enthralled by the performance."

What is the difference between "enthral" and "interest"?

"Enthral" suggests a strong captivating effect that completely holds someone's attention, while "interest" simply means to pique someone's curiosity. Something that enthralls goes beyond simply being interesting; it "completely captivates".