enthrall
Hold in rapture
To enthrall is to captivate completely, holding someone's attention as if by a spell: The documentary enthralled viewers for two hours.
The word carries a sense of pleasurable captivity—you're held, but willingly.
Originally it meant to enslave, and that older sense of being held in thrall survives in the modern meaning's intensity.
Also spelled enthral.
Intensely attract and hold
- mesmerizeCapture attention completely
- spellbindCaptivate completely, immovably
- entrancePoint of access
- enchantMagically captivate someone
bewitch · hypnotize · transfix · rivet · grip · absorb · engross · immerse
Bring under dominion
- dominateControl through superior strength
- captiveOne held by force
- bondageInvoluntary subjugation to another
- servitudeCompulsory labor under masters
beholden · yoke · shackle · bind · control · possess · master · hold
Overwhelming intense delight
- blissPerfect, serene felicity
- elationIntense triumphant joy
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
transcendence · transport · exaltation · sublimity · beatitude · nirvana · rhapsody · intoxication
Overwhelmed by sudden wonder
- astoundedOverwhelmed by surprise
- awestruckOvercome by profound wonder
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- wonderstruckAmazed beyond words
marveling · agog · dumbfounded · slack-jawed · wide-eyed · breathless · overcome · overwhelmed
Consumed by shallow ardor
- smittenPowerfully attracted to someone
- besottedIntoxicated by love or drink
- captivatedWholly absorbed by something
- charmedPleased or bewitched
beguiled · lovestruck · devoted · adoring · enchanted · bewitched · taken · fascinated
fascinate
Intensely attract and hold
- mesmerizeCapture attention completely
- spellbindCaptivate completely, immovably
- entrancePoint of access
enchant · bewitch · hypnotize · transfix · rivet · grip · absorb · engross · immerse · enrapture
subjugate
Bring under dominion
- dominateControl through superior strength
- captiveOne held by force
- bondageInvoluntary subjugation to another
servitude · beholden · yoke · shackle · bind · control · possess · master · hold · chains
ecstasy
Overwhelming intense delight
exhilaration · transcendence · transport · exaltation · sublimity · beatitude · nirvana · rhapsody · intoxication · swooning
amazed
Overwhelmed by sudden wonder
- astoundedOverwhelmed by surprise
- awestruckOvercome by profound wonder
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
wonderstruck · marveling · agog · dumbfounded · slack-jawed · wide-eyed · breathless · overcome · overwhelmed · staggered
infatuated
Consumed by shallow ardor
- smittenPowerfully attracted to someone
- besottedIntoxicated by love or drink
- captivatedWholly absorbed by something
charmed · beguiled · lovestruck · devoted · adoring · enchanted · bewitched · taken · fascinated · attracted
enthrallbore
Tiresome individual or drill
tire · weary · put to sleep · repel · lose
enthralldisenchant
Free from false beliefs
disillusion · disgust · repulse · disappoint · underwhelm
enthralled, enthralling, enthralls, enthral, enthrallment, enthrals, enthralment, disenthrall