1. (

• fascinate ,
• transfix ,
• grip ,
• spellbind

) to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe; "The snake charmer fascinates the cobra" ;

2. (

• magnetize ,
• mesmerize ,
• mesmerise ,
• magnetise ,
• bewitch ,
• spellbind

) attract strongly, as if with a magnet; "She magnetized the audience with her tricks" ;

3. (

• entrance ,
• spellbind

) put into a trance ;

1. (

• hypnotic ,
• mesmeric ,
• mesmerizing ,
• spellbinding

) attracting and holding interest as if by a spell; "read the bedtime story in a hypnotic voice"; "she had a warm mesmeric charm"; "the sheer force of his presence was mesmerizing"; "a spellbinding description of life in ancient Rome" ;