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Definition of allurenext

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

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
There’s no doubt that Skarsgård, a conventionally attractive actor known to take on eccentric and unconventional roles, is also playing a big part in the film’s allure. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 Therein lies the practical part of a brewtique’s allure, says Turow-Paul. Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
The getaway, which bookends Tucson with its Saguaro East and Saguaro West parks, allures with inky nightscapes and numerous open-late trails. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 8 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for allure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • He was sentenced to death in 1986, won an appeal for a new sentencing hearing and was again sentenced to death in 1989.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The mish-mash of different stands, for instance, at Harrogate Town’s Wetherby Road — now no longer part of the ’92’, following their relegation in May— gave the place a certain appeal, even though the National League felt a more natural home.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And as always, Reacher’s bone-dry and hyper-literal wit continues to charm in this new adventure from showrunner Nick Santora (this time adapting author Lee Child’s Gone Tomorrow).
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Artists and engineers bunked in, the artist’s turtle Rocky charmed visitors, and Rauschenberg created some key works in his studio there.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The crispy beef tacos are a perennial craving, but other unorthodox tacos tempt, too.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The bottom line Savers with $40,000 in their bank account may be tempted to invest in stocks, bonds or real estate right now.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The judging criteria balanced overall attractiveness and legibility for law enforcement.
    Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The list compiled 300 cities of varying sizes across 22 factors of market attractiveness, affordability and quality of life.
    Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • The 31-year-old rapper, a member of the megagroup NCT and the leader of its subgroup NCT 127, has seemingly always been fascinated by merging different genres to create a new song.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Questions around beauty and longing recur, as do keywords (such as ‘password’), names, references and scenic features, but what fascinated me most is that in principle each episode could be read as a little patchy universe on its own.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Dozens of new laws take effect in Colorado on Wednesday as part of state lawmakers’ efforts to increase safety of ride-hailing apps, improve affordable housing development and curb Coloradans from leaving out trash that could lure bears.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • According to court records, Conahan, an unemployed nurse, lured Montgomery into the woods in northern Charlotte County to take nude bondage photos.
    CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • There he was routinely beaten, an experience which instilled in him a lifelong fascination with flagellation and pain.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But there was a kind of bemusement with our fascination with the Wild West and our fixation on cowboys, and a sense that America has gone off the rails.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The houses are capturing spending from wealthy collectors, winning over some former primary-market customers, and using luxury to entice entirely new buyers over to the auction ecosystem.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Fall fashion tends to kickstart our lust for the new season as brands start to launch enticing pre-fall collections.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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