Antonyms for fascinate


Grammar : Verb
Spell : fas-uh-neyt
Phonetic Transcription : ˈfæs əˌneɪt


Definition of fascinate

Origin :
  • 1590s, "bewitch, enchant," from Middle French fasciner (14c.), from Latin fascinatus, past participle of fascinare "bewitch, enchant, fascinate," from fascinus "spell, witchcraft," of uncertain origin. Possibly from Greek baskanos "bewitcher, sorcerer," with form influenced by Latin fari "speak" (see fame (n.)).
  • The Greek word might be from a Thracian equivalent of Greek phaskein "to say;" cf. also enchant, and German besprechen "to charm," from sprechen "to speak." Earliest used of witches and of serpents, who were said to be able to cast a spell by a look that rendered one unable to move or resist. Sense of "delight, attract" is first recorded 1815. Related: Fascinated; fascinating.
  • verb captivate, hold spellbound
Example sentences :
  • Her singing especially seemed to enchant and fascinate the girl.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • He wished to try to fascinate her again, but she quieted him with a movement of her hands.
  • Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola
  • The subject of cannibals seemed especially to fascinate her.
  • Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
  • I'll tell you this much, there are implications about this case that fascinate me!
  • Extract from : « We're Friends, Now » by Henry Hasse
  • But the sound of Peter's narrative seemed to fascinate—to hypnotize him.
  • Extract from : « The Vagrant Duke » by George Gibbs
  • What could it be that had such a power to fascinate the whole tribe?
  • Extract from : « The Fiery Totem » by Argyll Saxby
  • Her instinct was to rouse, charm, fascinate her little audience.
  • Extract from : « Lippincott's Magazine, September, 1885 » by Various
  • It did not fascinate him, as did the story of the wandering prince.
  • Extract from : « Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete » by Albert Bigelow Paine
  • The rock seemed to fascinate him as the eyes of a snake fascinate a bird.
  • Extract from : « The Trail of '98 » by Robert W. Service
  • This book is one to fascinate every intelligent American boy.
  • Extract from : « Breaking Away » by Oliver Optic

Synonyms for fascinate

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019