spellbinds

Holds attention absolutely

Spellbinds means holds someone's complete attention, as if under a spell.

The word suggests captivation so total that the person cannot look away or think of anything else: The storyteller spellbinds her audience with tales of ancient magic.

The past tense is spellbound, which also serves as an adjective meaning entranced or fascinated.

enchantment

mesmerizes

Captivates utterly, hypnotically

enchants · hypnotizes · transfixes · fascinates · charms · enraptures · beguiles · entrances · rivets · grips

performance

audience

Gathered viewers collectively

magician · illusionist · performer · showman · spectacle · act · theater · drama · monologue · narrative

artistic

masterpiece

Supreme artistic achievement

cinematography · imagery · brushwork · melody · symphony · novelist · filmmaker · choreography · sculpture · artistry

Categories
Opposites
captivation/engagement

spellbindsbores

Drills or tires

wearies · dulls · puts to sleep · repels · disinterests

emotional effect

spellbindsrepels

Drives back, resists

repulses · disgusts · alienates · offends · revolts

enchantment vs. disillusionment

spellbindsdisenchants

Destroys naive beliefs

disillusions · disappoints · sobers · awakens · breaks the spell

Family

spellbind, spellbinding, spellbinder, spellbinders

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G