What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fascinate
Example
The history of ancient civilizations has always fascinated me. [fascinated: verb]
Example
The intricate details of the painting fascinated the art enthusiasts. [fascinated: past participle]
mesmerize
Example
The performer's music and dance moves mesmerized the audience. [mesmerized: verb]
Example
The flickering flames of the campfire mesmerized the group. [mesmerized: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fascinate is more commonly used than mesmerize in everyday language. Fascinate is versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts, while mesmerize is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fascinate and mesmerize?
Both fascinate and mesmerize are considered formal words, but fascinate is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
