What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
captivate
Example
The magician's performance captivated the audience with its stunning illusions. [captivated: past tense]
Example
The book captivated me from the first page, and I couldn't put it down. [captivate: verb]
mesmerize
Example
The dancer's graceful movements mesmerized the audience, leaving them in awe. [mesmerized: past tense]
Example
The beautiful sunset mesmerized me, and I couldn't take my eyes off it. [mesmerize: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Captivate is more commonly used than mesmerize in everyday language. Captivate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mesmerize is less common and may be used in more specific or dramatic situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between captivate and mesmerize?
Both captivate and mesmerize can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, captivate is generally considered more neutral and can be used in various formality levels, while mesmerize may have a slightly more dramatic or poetic tone.
