lead on

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 allure, bait, beguile, betray, decoy, entice, lure, seduce, solicit, temptRelated Words draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow; catch, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entrap, mesh, snare, tangle, trap; bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate, magnetize, wileNear Antonyms alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn; drive (away or off), repulse, turn away