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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
Breaking the allure of trendy spots is now the organization’s top priority. — Laina Gustafson, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Nov. 2026 Part of the weekend’s allure, Pike says, is having so many iO players back on their home turf. — Ryan P. C. Trimble, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
The button front adds interest to the waistline, while the hidden zipper closure and alluring back slit offers all-day comfort. — Jennifer Chan, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025 In a gaming landscape full of always-online MMOs worth exploring in depth, Arrakis' treacherous sands and its more populated locales are alluring in ways even the biggest Dune fans weren't expecting at first. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • Big business interests like building owners, developers and the property tax attorneys that file appeals for both lined up with Hynes, who convinced party officials to endorse him over the summer.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Before that, Gooden was an appellate attorney who handled hundreds of appeals.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The concept had the goblin going out to a bar, hoping to charm the princess.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Josh Charles, who plays the Doc Martin (Clunes) role here, says Silverman charmed the Sports Night and The Good Wife star aboard with one deep pull outside of the TV ecosystem.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • What will be just as interesting is if Democrats start thinking of Texas as a swing state, too, and whether their Presidential nominee in 2028 is tempted to put James Talarico or Gina Hinojosa on the ticket.
    — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Things to do Hotel Motto is not just a base for exploring the city – the rooms are so comfortable you might be tempted not to leave them.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Firstman is recognized by a musclebound music producer dining nearby with a woman of equitable attractiveness.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Anwar is trying to highlight Malaysia’s attractiveness to tech and AI companies, in particular by highlighting the country as a neutral and non-aligned home for investment.
    — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Mitchell Kohrmann was fascinated by the Cannonball record runs between New York City and Los Angeles, but decided to make things more interesting by choosing the slowest possible car.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Those copious field reports, sworn affidavits, and telegrams signed, alarmingly, HOOVER, would fascinate, enrage, and unmoor me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Last month, the parent company of the new Texas Stock Exchange raised $155 million in a third funding round meant to lure companies away from the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.
    — Shelly Banjo, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Once Anchovy Jack settled in one area, rescuers lured him into a humane trap.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • An old fascination can still have something new to teach you.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your next fascination could start surprisingly close to home.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Once the victim engages in a back-and-forth, a supervisor experienced in emotional manipulation takes over to build a relationship and entice the victim to hand over their money.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Only a handful of new acts a year develop with the profile and following to entice that kind of spending on physical product from their fans, but there’s no shortage of such acts to be found in the past.
    — Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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