What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Captivate vs Overpower - What's the difference?

captivate | overpower | Synonyms |

As verbs the difference between captivate and overpower

is that captivate is to attract and hold interest and attention of; charm while overpower is to subdue someone by superior force.

captivate

English

Verb

(captivat)
  • To attract and hold interest and attention of; charm.
  • * Washington Irving
  • small landscapes of captivating loveliness
  • *, chapter=3
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”  He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis […] interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable.}}
  • (obsolete) To take prisoner; to capture; to subdue.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Their woes whom fortune captivates .
  • * Glanvill
  • 'Tis a greater credit to know the ways of captivating Nature, and making her subserve our purposes, than to have learned all the intrigues of policy.

    Anagrams

    * ----

    overpower

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To subdue someone by superior force.
  • We overpowered the opposing army within a couple of hours.
  • To excel or exceed in power; to cause to yield; to subdue.
  • Bright light overpowers the eyes.
  • To render imperceptible by means of greater strength, intensity etc.
  • The dish was OK, but the garlic slightly overpowered the herbs.
  • *{{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=December 15 , author=Felicity Cloake , title=How to cook the perfect nut roast , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=Breadcrumbs seem to be the most popular choice, but Rose Elliot's recipe, in Vegetarian Christmas (as recommended by one of the three nice people who did tweet back, India Knight), doesn't quite convince as the centrepiece of the festive feast. It consists of two layers of ground cashew nuts, mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, nutmeg and vegetable stock, and separated by a vibrant green herb stuffing, the main ingredient of which is also bread. Although surprisingly moist, thanks to the stock (indeed, the contrast between the crisp exterior and the squidgy middle is horribly moreish), the combination of parsley, garlic and breadcrumbs reminds me of a very fancy loaf of garlic bread – and all but overpowers the sweet flavour of the cashews.}}