entice

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs How to pronounce entice (audio)
en-
enticed; enticing

transitive verb

: to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire : tempt
enticement noun
Choose the Right Synonym for entice

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from one's true course.

lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.

tempted by the offer of money

seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of entice in a Sentence

every commercial seemed to be for some tempting snack specifically designed to entice me from my diet
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dr Pepper has invested heavily in marketing during college football games and come up with novel flavors like strawberries and cream to entice soda drinkers. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 The company, which started in 1947 in Conecuh County, Alabama, has a potent combination of enticing hickory smoke and a patented blend of seasonings that set their products apart from the usual offerings in the grocery-store meat case. Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025 Basically, people would know what to expect from the project’s name, which makes marketing easier, and more likely to entice some of them to watch. David Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 As of May, the prospect of infrastructure investment and a link to the world’s second largest economy has enticed up to 150 countries — representing around 40% of global GDP — to join the BRI through Memoranda of Understanding with China, the GFDC added. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entice

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French enticer, from Vulgar Latin *intitiare, from Latin in- + titio firebrand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of entice was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entice. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

entice

verb
en·​tice in-ˈtīs How to pronounce entice (audio)
enticed; enticing
: to attract by arousing hope or desire : tempt
enticement noun
enticingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on entice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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