fascinating
Holding rapt attention
Fascinating describes something that captures and holds attention through strong interest or curiosity.
A fascinating book engrosses the reader; a fascinating person commands attention.
The word implies more than mere interest—something fascinating exerts a kind of pull, drawing you in and making it hard to look away.
I find the history of medicine fascinating.
Completely capturing one's attention
- spellbindingCompletely capturing one's attention
- enthrallingDeeply fascinating and gripping
- rivetingCompletely holding one's attention
- grippingHolding attention completely
absorbing · engrossing · hypnotic · compelling · transfixing · arresting · entrancing · immersive
Powerfully and mysteriously charming
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
- beguilingCharmingly deceptive
- charmingPleasantly attractive in manner
- alluringPowerfully appealing
magnetic · seductive · enticing · irresistible · captivating · fetching · appealing · attractive
Beyond easy comprehension
- enigmaticPuzzling and obscure
- crypticObscure in meaning
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- curiousEager to learn
perplexing · baffling · mystifying · tantalizing · provocative · thought-provoking · elusive · inscrutable
In a thinking manner
- stimulatingArousing interest or energy
- enlighteningProviding new understanding
- illuminatingMaking visible or understandable
- educationalPromoting knowledge or skill
informative · enriching · edifying · insightful · revelatory · eye-opening · thought-provoking · mind-expanding
Evoking reverential wonder
- marvelousExtremely good, inspiring wonder
- astonishingCausing great wonder
- astoundingShockingly impressive
- remarkableWorthy of attention
extraordinary · incredible · breathtaking · stupendous · phenomenal · spectacular · sublime · miraculous
Strikingly unusual, foreign-seeming
- unfamiliarNot previously known
- foreignFrom another nation
- unusualNot often encountered
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
unexpected · surprising · fresh · original · unprecedented · unique · rare · singular
mesmerizing
Completely capturing one's attention
- spellbindingCompletely capturing one's attention
- enthrallingDeeply fascinating and gripping
- rivetingCompletely holding one's attention
gripping · absorbing · engrossing · hypnotic · compelling · transfixing · arresting · entrancing · immersive · unputdownable
bewitching
Powerfully and mysteriously charming
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
- beguilingCharmingly deceptive
- charmingPleasantly attractive in manner
alluring · magnetic · seductive · enticing · irresistible · captivating · fetching · appealing · attractive · glamorous
mysterious
Beyond easy comprehension
curious · perplexing · baffling · mystifying · tantalizing · provocative · thought-provoking · elusive · inscrutable · ambiguous
intellectually
In a thinking manner
- stimulatingArousing interest or energy
- enlighteningProviding new understanding
- illuminatingMaking visible or understandable
educational · informative · enriching · edifying · insightful · revelatory · eye-opening · thought-provoking · mind-expanding · challenging
awe-inspiring
Evoking reverential wonder
- marvelousExtremely good, inspiring wonder
- astonishingCausing great wonder
- astoundingShockingly impressive
remarkable · extraordinary · incredible · breathtaking · stupendous · phenomenal · spectacular · sublime · miraculous · magnificent
exotic
Strikingly unusual, foreign-seeming
- unfamiliarNot previously known
- foreignFrom another nation
- unusualNot often encountered
unconventional · unexpected · surprising · fresh · original · unprecedented · unique · rare · singular · distinctive
- adjectivesbig, urgent, amazing, temporary, bold
- captivatingcaptivating, compelling, mesmerizing, hypnotic, enchanting
- thought-provokingstimulating, intriguing, engaging, compelling, interesting
- exclamationsoh, yes, no, wow, hey
- strangenessodd, weird, strange, bizarre, peculiar
- allureattraction, attract, magnetism, charisma, attractiveness
fascinatingboring
Failing to engage interest
dull · uninteresting · tedious · monotonous · tiresome
- morbid fascinationAttraction to grisly subjects
- dread fascinationAttraction mixed with horror
- childhood fascinationEarly-age intense interest