seduce

verb

se·duce | \ si-ˈdüs

, -ˈdyüs\

seduced; seducing

Definition of seduce

transitive verb

1 : to persuade to disobedience or disloyalty

2 : to lead astray usually by persuasion or false promises

3 : to carry out the physical seduction of : entice to sexual intercourse

4 : attract

Other Words from seduce Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about seduce

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Choose the Right Synonym for seduce

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 seduce in a Sentence

He tried to seduce her. She was seduced by an older man. The other team seduced him with a better offer.

Recent Examples on the Web

The crowd couldn’t help but cheer as Matcha expressed unbridled energy, and Schisandra Berry seduced the evening’s emcee. — Ella Riley-adams, Vogue, "Dada Daily Throws a Surrealist Dinner at One of New York’s Most Resplendent Apartments," 30 Mar. 2019 Yet shows like The Tudors and Wolf Hall depict her as cunning and scorned, a woman who seduced her dead husband’s brother, who deserves to whither and die alone as a young, virile Henry VIII chases Anne Boleyn. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The First Teaser Trailer for," 25 Jan. 2019 The movies, which used to aim to seduce, today seem bent on the brutalization of the spectator. — John Banville, WSJ, "‘Sleeping With Strangers’ Review: Flickers of Desire," 22 Feb. 2019 Skarsgård looks great, however, and that goes double (triple) for Florence Pugh, who plays Charlie Ross, a bohemian English actress recruited (unwittingly, at first) to seduce and disrupt the terrorists. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, "Escape at Dannemora and The Little Drummer Girl Put the Prestige in Prestige TV," 16 Nov. 2018 Actually, the man in the song hopes to seduce, not rape; the song is flirty and humorous, a spoof of the endless drama between men and women. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "Baby, There’s a Chilling Effect Outside," 3 Jan. 2019 But Hiram isn't the only guy who Hermione seduces in the episode. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Crazy Secrets We Learned About the "Riverdale" Parents on “The Midnight Club” Episode," 8 Nov. 2018 Her sights are set on the philandering J.D. Sheldrake (played by Tony Goldwyn), who seduces Fran, but then goes six weeks without calling her. — Jennifer Dixon, Harper's BAZAAR, "Broadway's Promises, Promises Promises to Be Charming," 3 May 2010 Also, Ivy has moved in with Rufus and ends up seducing him (ick). — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "Every Single Episode of Gossip Girl, Ranked," 19 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'seduce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.