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

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
As brands chase the allure of vintage authenticity, these words have been stretched thin—earned by few, borrowed by many. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026 But not even Jones isn’t funny or magnetic enough to sustain attention without the support of real suspense and allure. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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 But to truly understand what enchanted the Fitzgeralds—and continues to allure visitors—go beyond the hotel and explore Antibes. Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • Lytvyn, the communications advisor, told CNN that Zelensky decided early on to make appeals for help directly to other nations, rather than just their leaders.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Add in its layered history and genuinely warm service, and the appeal becomes clear.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Newsom details the everyday struggle living with his mom after his parents divorced and occasional interludes into his father’s life charmed by the Gettys’ affluence, including that day when the Gettys outfitted him in designer clothes at a luxury department store.
    Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The Chartreuse charms the cocktail, giving it a bright herbaceousness and seductive spice, with the liqueur’s full battery of gifts echoing into a long, ambrosial finish.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • She may be tempted to revise Article 9 of the Constitution, which bans maintaining a military and going to war.
    Jeff Kingston, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
  • As systems act more autonomously and with greater speed, humans would be tempted to abdicate decision making in order to leverage their power.
    Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • However, worries around a decline in attractiveness and fertility weren’t strongly linked with epigenetic aging.
    Korin Miller, SELF, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The term is also multidimensional, embodying a range of qualities beyond wealth, like attractiveness, ambition, education/intelligence, professional success/achievement, and dating intention.
    Alexa Beck, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This is Taymor’s first production to embark on a national tour, and she’s been fascinated by the range of audience responses.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
  • From legal aspirations to a life of art As a girl, I was fascinated by color, texture and creative expressions.
    Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The agency allegedly used Bank of America accounts to lure young women with fake modeling offers, while financial records suggest the bank was aware of these suspicious connections, according to plaintiff’s claims.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • On Thursday, Trantalis said Tunnel Top Plaza was in dire of need of a shade structure to lure more people to the area.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The fascination with Kornacki's attire began after the 2020 election.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
  • An English professor at Harvard and the author of two acclaimed novels, The Old Drift (2019) and The Furrows (2022), Serpell combines a professorial breadth of reference and a novelist’s fascination with the mechanics of literature.
    Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Indonesia plans to increase its domestic fuel production and others in the region, like the Philippines, are cutting red tape to entice fuel developers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Producers, agents and executives working in the genre say the recent boom of romance in TV and film is due in great part to studios’ seeing the power of the core audience whom authors help entice to screens.
    Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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