as in to tempt
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
a con man whose dupes are usually led on by their own greed and eagerness to turn an easy buck
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead on
Verb
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Children may be tempted to touch the flames, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees and some run with them, sometimes leading to eye impalement.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025 -
At month 10, schedule a conversation focused entirely on what might tempt them away.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The shift in temperature translates into a false spring, lures the seeds to crack open; without this deception, the seeds refuse to sprout into life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 July 2025
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The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s archive features postcards depicting Black children sitting near swamps to lure alligators.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
Verb
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But what really seduced me was the transgressive idea of imagining who else lives inside each of us.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
19 June 2025
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Teenagers and their parents can be easily seduced, so Underwood is respected for his role in keeping those players at Thorp Arch.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Or they could be persuaded that financial surveillance of businesses for transactions over $200 is necessary to prevent criminals from moving money.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
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Becker had run in high school but was working as a mortgage broker when, with his 60th birthday approaching, a friend persuaded him to try a marathon in Minnesota.—
James Rainey
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
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For six months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the table.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
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Culinary delight often begins with a visual feast that entices people to indulge in delicious flavors.—
Molly Peck,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Lead on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead%20on. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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