The phrase "eventually smitten" describes a gradual process of falling in love or becoming infatuated with someone or something over time. Synonyms for this phrase could include "slowly enchanted," "gradually captivated," or "unfoldingly charmed." These words suggest a sense of steady, measured attraction that deepens and intensifies over time. Other possible synonyms might include "incrementally enamored," "inch by inch beguiled," or "step by step taken." Whatever the phrasing, the underlying idea remains the same: that love and infatuation are often not sudden, explosive events, but rather are built through a series of incremental experiences and decisions.