enticed; enticing
Synonyms of entice

transitive verb

: to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire : tempt
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.
Citing ProPublica’s reporting, three Democrats who have long called for industry reforms are now demanding more information from major sports betting and prediction market companies about how the businesses entice their customers. — Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026 Most — but not all — candidates for Illinois General Assembly seats in and around the Chicago Bears’ Arlington Park property support legislative efforts to entice the team’s move to the suburbs or keep them from leaving Illinois altogether. — Christopher Placek, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 The many interactive exhibits that dot the new building’s 200,000 square feet of gallery space are geared to entice and educate people of all ages. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Justin Perez, 28, of Springfield, Massachusetts took a plea deal on Monday in Rockville Superior Court, pleading guilty to charges of risk of injury to a minor and enticing a minor, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026 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 7 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

enticed; enticing
: to attract by arousing hope or desire : tempt
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