Spellbind / verb / spell·bind

Spellbind is a verb meaning "to enchant or bewitch." It refers to one becoming so fascinated with something that it appears as if it is done by magic. Words like bewitch, fascinate, enthrall, and captivate are used to describe the effects that come with being spellbound.

As an adjective, a person can have a “spellbinding” personality that naturally appeals to others and draws them in as if in a hypnotic fashion. Spellbind can also refer to the action of a magical practitioner attempting to induce captivating effects on others magically.

In a Sentence

Her personality was naturally spellbinding, and people were drawn to her everywhere she went.

The wizard attempted to spellbind his enemy to learn where he kept the recipe for the secret potion hidden.

Many types of music can spellbind listeners, which can be positive or negative, depending on how the piece affects their behavior.

Etymology

English speakers started using the word spellbind sometime between the late 1700s and early 1800s. The word spellbind is derived from a combination of terms relating to spells, history, and fables. There are traces of the word spellbind in Old Saxon, Old Norse, Old-high German, and Proto-German. However, the word spellbind is still used with its 18th-century definition, meaning to captivate or entrance others in some way.

Synonym

Enchant, Bewitch

Antonym

Bore, Irritate