allure 1 of 2

Definition of allurenext

allure

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word allure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allure are attract, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When might attract be a better fit than allure?

Although the words attract and allure have much in common, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of allure?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

When can enchant be used instead of allure?

While in some cases nearly identical to allure, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When would fascinate be a good substitute for allure?

While the synonyms fascinate and allure are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

How is the word allure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allure are attract, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When might attract be a better fit than allure?

Although the words attract and allure have much in common, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of allure?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

When can enchant be used instead of allure?

While in some cases nearly identical to allure, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When would fascinate be a good substitute for allure?

While the synonyms fascinate and allure are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of allure
Noun
But that sonic democratization is a large part of Suno’s allure for neophytes, who welcome the opportunity to have AI do most — or all — of the work for them, almost instantaneously. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026 Saturday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs is one of two games available for purchase against their provincial rival, and the Pittsburgh Penguins (on Thursday), purely off the allure of Sidney Crosby and the fans who come to see him and his star teammates, is part of the offer. Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Despite having never considered Nashville as a potential home, she was allured by the idea that her social connections would thrive there and decided to settle. Erik Buckingham, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Nov. 2025 The region’s invigorating multiculturalism also allures visitors drawn to calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • For both the academy and AEG, which owns and operates the complex, the appeal is in keeping everything in one place — arrivals, ceremony, the Governors Ball and afterparties — rather than spreading events across multiple locations.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The emotional appeal and audience desire for wholesome content contributed to the spread.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Paris — Anyone visiting Paris just over a decade ago would doubtless have been charmed by the city’s timeless attractions — brasseries serving delicious food, museums crammed with famous works of art, boulevards of chic stores — all overlooked by the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.
    Lisa Courbebaisse, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Ultimately, we were charmed by a young girl’s journey.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After Tatis fouled off the next pitch, Flaherty did what a lot of pitchers will do to Tatis and tempted him with a slider that broke low and outside the zone.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Today, when architecture often seems tempted to retreat in the face of cascading crises, Gehry’s career suggests a different response.
    Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • These factors include the high price of gold before the war, the relative attractiveness of other low-risk assets and a mixed record of living up to its safe-haven status.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • South Park and North Park, not wealthy neighborhoods, gained in attractiveness and value over decades because working people bought old houses, fixed and maintained them.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For decades, the Zeigler case has fascinated the public around the world, leading to television shows, books, documentaries and a variety of crime sleuths creating various conspiracy theories.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
  • He’d already been fascinated by watching his daughter, Cassidy, play with a dollhouse.
    Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The pair are chaos agents who, in conferring the benefit of sudden wealth, lure the recipients into corruption.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Court documents show the suspects allegedly lured a private driver, who was hired by Arnold, and his two associates to an apartment in Tampa.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Twins are another matter altogether, an object of intense fascination and suspicion.
    Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Human fascination with bottlenose dolphins goes back thousands of years, at least as early as Greek mythology.
    Laela Sayigh, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While high prices at the grocery store might entice would-be farmers to start herds, rising input costs and farmland decimated by drought have made entering the profession nearly impossible.
    Anthony Pahnke, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
  • For those in pursuit of historical sites, its ancient ruins and museums lined with artifacts should entice.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on allure

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster