entice

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs 

en-

enticed; enticing

transitive verb

: to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire : tempt

enticement

in-ˈtī-smənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms

• allure
• bait
• beguile
• betray
• decoy
• lead on
• lure
• seduce
• solicit
• 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

Inspired by California's Mojave Desert, sandalwood is enlivened by a whiff of violet which gives this eau de parfum a soft, floral-meets-powdery edge that has enticed Byredo fans since its 2014 launch. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024

In May, rumors flew on TikTok as users recorded workers making their meals in the hopes that holding a phone would entice employees to fill up their bowls. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2024

The Pro Bowl quarterback explains why he was enticed to partner with Perry Ellis for a clothing line. —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

And in November, in an effort to entice property owners, the governor revealed just how much money could be made housing people who were homeless after the fire. —Nick Grube, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2024

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

Kids Definition

entice

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs 

enticed; enticing

: to attract by arousing hope or desire : tempt

enticement

-mənt 

noun

enticingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb