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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Or offerings aimed at people seduced, say, by the promise of virtual reality. — Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY, "Do new unlimited plans from Sprint, Verizon signal start of a new cell-phone price war?," 14 June 2018 Lively’s job was to seduce the girls and then proposition them for a prostitution ring. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "True crime: The 'dresser drawer murder' at the Claypool Hotel," 13 July 2018 But here's the thing: Rebecca never seduces her sources. — refinery29.com, "Tag Changed This One Major Detail For The Movie & Avoided A Horrible Trope," 15 June 2018 Restitution must be made, lest it be thought the seduced entered these arrangements voluntarily. — Laura Kipnis, The Cut, "Should There Be a Future for Seduction?," 10 June 2018 Quickly though, singer Sydney Bennett, who performs as Syd and got her start as DJ and producer for Odd Future, steals away to seduce a would-be lover, tossing pebbles at a window. — Randall Roberts, latimes.com, "California Sounds: New music and videos from L.A. band the Internet and Compton rapper Boogie," 7 June 2018 Preacher insinuates himself into the cozy Southern community, seducing the citizens (including the kids’ mother, played by Shelley Winters) with his smooth Elmer Gantry patter. — Carlos Valladares, San Francisco Chronicle, "Waking up to the genius of ‘The Night of the Hunter,’ showing at the Stanford," 23 Apr. 2018 Faced with haunting premonitions that his secret wife, Padmé Amidala, is going to die, Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side, turning against his master Obi-Won and helping to topple the Jedi. — Jevon Phillips, latimes.com, "Following 'Star Wars': From 'Phantom Menace' to 'The Last Jedi'," 16 May 2018 After Wormley allows himself to be seduced by the old poet, repugnance turns to fury and finally, wrenchingly, to love. — Mark Swed, latimes.com, "Walt Whitman's operatic America in 'Crossing' gets its West Coast premiere," 27 May 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.