Featured Snippet Answer
The closest synonym for smitten is infatuated. Both words describe being strongly attracted to someone, often suddenly. Other good choices include enamored, besotted, and charmed. Use infatuated for intense, often short-lived feelings, enamored for deep admiration, and charmed for lighter, playful attraction.
Marco met Elena at a bookshop in Rome on a rainy Tuesday. By the time she finished her coffee, he had already planned their second date. His sister took one look at him and said, “You’re smitten.”
To be smitten means to be strongly attracted to someone or something, often in a sudden and sweet way. The word can also describe loving a new pet, a city, or a hobby. Learning synonyms for smitten helps you pick the right shade of feeling. Are you charmed, infatuated, or truly in love? Each word says something different.
This guide shares 14 alternatives, what each one means, and when to use it.
Synonyms for Smitten
| # | Synonym | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infatuated | Intensely attracted, often briefly |
| 2 | Enamored | Filled with love or admiration |
| 3 | Besotted | So in love you act foolishly |
| 4 | Charmed | Delighted and drawn to someone |
| 5 | Captivated | Held by attraction or interest |
| 6 | Enchanted | Delighted as if under a spell |
| 7 | Taken with | Strongly attracted or impressed |
| 8 | Crazy about | Very fond of, informal |
| 9 | Head over heels | Completely in love |
| 10 | Lovestruck | Overwhelmed by new love |
| 11 | Bewitched | Charmed beyond control |
| 12 | Fascinated | Strongly interested and drawn |
| 13 | Enthralled | Completely held by interest |
| 14 | Devoted | Loyal and loving (related term) |
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Meaning and Usage
- Synonyms for Smitten
- Infatuated
- EnamoredBesottedCharmedCaptivatedEnchantedTaken withcontrol
- aboutHead over heelsLovestruckBewitchedFascinatedEnthralled
- Devoted
- Antonyms
- Commonly Confused Words
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Quick Facts About Smitten
- Focus word: smitten
- Part of speech: adjective
- Pronunciation guide: SMIT-un
- IPA: /ˈsmɪtən/
- Syllables: 2
- Origin: It is the past participle of the old verb smite, meaning “to strike or hit.” So being smitten once meant being “struck” by something, like love.
- Other word forms: smite, smote, smitten (verb forms)
- Formality level: neutral to informal
- Difficulty level: intermediate
- CEFR level: about C1
Meaning and Usage of Smitten
Smitten means strongly attracted to someone or something, usually in a warm and slightly dreamy way. It often suggests new, sweet feelings rather than long-term love.
You will often see it in these places:
- Romance: a new crush or early dating.
- Daily life: loving a new puppy, baby, or home.
- Creative writing: romance novels and love stories.
- Casual talk: teasing a friend who is clearly in love.
Here are two natural examples:
- Ravi was smitten with his neighbor’s golden retriever after one afternoon in the park.
- “You look smitten,” Anna laughed as Tom checked his phone for the fifth time.
1. Infatuated: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Near synonym
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Meaning: Having a strong but often short-lived attraction to someone.
Difference: Infatuated is more intense and can sound unrealistic. Smitten usually feels sweeter and lighter.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, literature, creative writing.
Examples:
- Leo was infatuated with his new coworker and rewrote one text six times.
- At sixteen, Mia was infatuated with a singer she had never met.
2. Enamored: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Exact synonym
Direct Replacement: Yes
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Meaning: Filled with love, admiration, or great fondness.
Difference: Enamored sounds a bit more formal and can describe things as well as people. It often follows “of” or “with.”
Best Used For: Creative writing, literature, daily conversation.
Examples:
- Hana was enamored with the little fishing village in Portugal.
- The whole class grew enamored of their new teacher’s stories.
3. Besotted: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Near synonym
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Meaning: So deeply in love that you act a little foolishly.
Difference: Besotted is stronger and slightly comic. It suggests love that makes someone silly.
Best Used For: Creative writing, literature, daily conversation.
Examples:
- Grandpa is completely besotted with his new granddaughter.
- Chris was so besotted that he drove two hours just to bring her soup.
4. Charmed: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Contextual alternative
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Meaning: Delighted by someone’s personality or appeal.
Difference: Charmed is lighter. You can be charmed without any romantic feeling at all.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, business writing, creative writing.
Examples:
- The hotel owner charmed every guest with her warm welcome.
- Sam was charmed by the baby’s giggle on the train.
5. Captivated: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Contextual alternative
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Meaning: Having your attention and interest completely held.
Difference: Captivated focuses on attention. Smitten focuses on affection.
Best Used For: Creative writing, literature, academic writing.
Examples:
- The audience was captivated by the young violinist.
- Nora was captivated by the old map in the museum window.
6. Enchanted: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Contextual alternative
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Meaning: Delighted so much that it feels magical.
Difference: Enchanted adds a sense of wonder or magic. Smitten is more down to earth.
Best Used For: Creative writing, literature, travel writing.
Examples:
- Kids were enchanted by the lantern festival.
- Lena felt enchanted the first time she saw snow fall over Prague.
7. Taken with: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Near synonym
Direct Replacement: Yes
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Meaning: Strongly attracted to or impressed by someone or something.
Difference: Taken with is calmer and more casual. It suggests real interest without drama.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, casual writing.
Examples:
- Dan was quite taken with the new café on Maple Street.
- My aunt was instantly taken with her tiny rental cottage.
8. Crazy about: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Near synonym
Direct Replacement: Yes
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Meaning: Extremely fond of someone or something.
Difference: Crazy about is informal and works for people, hobbies, and food. Smitten sounds a bit more romantic.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, casual writing.
Examples:
- Priya is crazy about her new neighbor’s baking.
- Jack is crazy about Sofia, and everyone at work knows it.
9. Head over heels: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Near synonym
Direct Replacement: Yes
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Meaning: Completely and deeply in love.
Difference: Head over heels is stronger than smitten. It suggests love has fully taken over.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, creative writing, literature.
Examples:
- After three weeks, Ben was head over heels for her.
- Maya fell head over heels for the city of Lisbon.
10. Lovestruck: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Exact synonym
Direct Replacement: Yes
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Meaning: Overwhelmed by feelings of new love.
Difference: Lovestruck is almost identical to smitten but always romantic.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, creative writing.
Examples:
- Oscar wandered around lovestruck after his first date with Ines.
- The lovestruck couple forgot their umbrella in the rain.
11. Bewitched: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Contextual alternative
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Meaning: Charmed so strongly that it feels like a spell.
Difference: Bewitched sounds mysterious and dramatic. Smitten is simple and warm.
Best Used For: Literature, creative writing.
Examples:
- He was bewitched by her laugh at the old train station.
- Travelers were bewitched by the misty hills of Scotland.
12. Fascinated: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Contextual alternative
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Meaning: Strongly interested and drawn to something.
Difference: Fascinated is about curiosity. Smitten is about affection.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, academic writing.
Examples:
- Ella was fascinated by how the old clock worked.
- Omar stayed fascinated by space after one school trip to a planetarium.
13. Enthralled: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Contextual alternative
Direct Replacement: Sometimes
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Meaning: Completely held by interest or delight.
Difference: Enthralled is about being unable to look away. It does not always mean love.
Best Used For: Creative writing, literature, academic writing.
Examples:
- The children sat enthralled during the puppet show.
- Zara was enthralled by the pianist’s final song.
14. Devoted: A Synonym for Smitten
Relationship: Related term
Direct Replacement: No
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Meaning: Loving and loyal over a long time.
Difference: Devoted describes lasting loyalty. Smitten describes a new, sudden attraction.
Best Used For: Daily conversation, literature, formal writing.
Examples:
- Mr. Chen has been a devoted husband for forty years.
- Rosa is a devoted fan who has seen the band nine times.
Note: Word 14 is a related term, not a direct synonym. Words 5, 6, 12, and 13 fit only when the feeling is admiration or fascination.
Antonyms of Smitten
| # | Antonym | Simple Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indifferent | Having no interest or feeling | Liam stayed indifferent to the whole idea. |
| 2 | Unmoved | Not touched by feelings | She was unmoved by his long speech. |
| 3 | Uninterested | Not curious or attracted | Nina seemed uninterested in the offer. |
| 4 | Repulsed | Strongly disgusted | Tom was repulsed by the smell. |
| 5 | Disenchanted | Disappointed after liking something | Kai grew disenchanted with the city. |
| 6 | Cold | Showing no warmth | Her reply was cold and short. |
Words Commonly Confused with Smitten
Smited
Difference: The correct past participle of smite is smitten, not smited. “Smote” is the simple past tense.
Example: The old poem says the hero was smitten by love.
Smitten vs. Bitten
Difference: They sound alike but mean different things. Bitten means cut by teeth. Smitten means struck by feeling.
Example: Ali was bitten by a mosquito and smitten by the beach on the same trip.
Smitten vs. Infatuated
Difference: Infatuated is usually stronger and can feel unhealthy or unrealistic. Smitten is lighter and more affectionate.
Example: Jen was smitten with her date, but she was not infatuated.
Smitten vs. Struck
Difference: Struck means hit, physically or emotionally. Smitten almost always means struck by love or charm.
Example: He was struck by the car’s low price, not smitten with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is another word for smitten?
Common alternatives are infatuated, enamored, charmed, and lovestruck. For casual speech, try crazy about or taken with. For stronger feeling, use besotted or head over heels. Each word shows a slightly different level of love or fondness.
What is the closest synonym for smitten?
Enamored and lovestruck are the closest in meaning. Both describe warm, new attraction. Enamored works for people and things, while lovestruck is only for romance. Infatuated is close too, but it feels more intense and less stable.
Can I replace smitten with infatuated?
Sometimes. Infatuated suggests a powerful, often short-lived crush. Smitten feels sweeter and more innocent. Say “smitten” for cute early feelings and “infatuated” when the attraction seems extreme or unrealistic.
Is smitten formal or informal?
Smitten is neutral to informal. It fits blog posts, stories, and friendly emails. In formal writing, use enamored or captivated. In casual talk, crazy about or head over heels sounds more natural.
What is the opposite of smitten?
Indifferent is the main opposite. It means having no strong feeling. Unmoved and uninterested also work. Use disenchanted when someone once liked something but lost that feeling. Smitten has no single perfect antonym.
Can you be smitten with things, not just people?
Yes. People are often smitten with puppies, cities, books, or hobbies. In these cases, it means very fond or charmed. “I’m smitten with this little bakery” sounds warm and natural in everyday English.
Conclusion
Synonyms grow your vocabulary and make your writing more expressive. Instead of repeating smitten, you can say enamored, charmed, or head over heels. Each word shows a different level of feeling. That is why context matters: the closest word is not always the right one.
