enthrall

Group 21Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To capture the fascinated attention of; to enslave
GRE

Example in Context

The storyteller enthralled the audience with a narrative so vivid that listeners felt they were witnessing the events firsthand.

Synonyms

captivatefascinatemesmerize

Etymology

To cause someone to be a slave to fascination.

  • en- (Old English) — to cause to be
  • thrall (Old Norse) — slave or servant

Memory Aid

👀Sounds like “in the thrall

When you’re IN THE THRALL of a magician, you’re so mesmerized you might as well be his SLAVE!

Visual Association

A captivated audience, eyes wide, as a magician pulls a rabbit from a hat, completely enthralled.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “enthrall” mean on the GRE?

enthrall (verb) means “To capture the fascinated attention of; to enslave”. The storyteller enthralled the audience with a narrative so vivid that listeners felt they were witnessing the events firsthand.

How to remember “enthrall” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “enthrall” sounds like “in the thrall”. When you’re IN THE THRALL of a magician, you’re so mesmerized you might as well be his SLAVE!

What are synonyms for “enthrall”?

Common synonyms: captivate, fascinate, mesmerize.