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allure

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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
The allure is strong — and so is the pressure to move before someone else does. Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025 The allure of movies and the consolidation of Internet fandoms had deepened the value of the marquee franchise and blockbuster items Prop Store tends to auction. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Put your best foot forward, since all eyes will be on you once Venus enters alluring Taurus on June 6. Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025 The crust, alluring in shades of caramel, looked so toothy. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • The infectious energy and Justin Bieber-style appeal of 25-year-old country hitmaker Bailey Zimmerman was not reflected in the CMA nominations.
    Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The government subsequently dropped its appeal of the magistrate judge’s decision to release Bryant pending his trial, according to a notice on the docket Tuesday evening.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The post quickly gained attention on the platform, drawing laughter from viewers charmed by the pet's adventurous spirit and unfazed attitude.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • López Lizano spoke with a kind of halting formality, which charmed her.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Why Corporate Leaders Should Care Executives might be tempted to dismiss PSLF as a narrow policy issue affecting only government and nonprofit workers.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • You may be tempted to go straight in with loads of product, but for the best lash look, Gray recommends starting little by little.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That means women on average tend to contact men who are perceived to be slightly less or roughly the same as them in terms of desirability and attractiveness, which signals a cautious approach.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Other factors may also contribute to your mosquito attractiveness, like your genetics and skin odor.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the idea has always fascinated him.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • So that image has always fascinated me.
    Maria Reva September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This is because Curaçao has a rich legacy of live performance, with such local genres as ritmo kombina and tumba luring locals into small clubs packed with full-on mini orchestras.
    Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Maybe even lure restaurants and other businesses nearby.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Based on the Pennsylvania haunting of the Smurl family, the film sent him down a research rabbit hole to find out all about the Warrens – a fascination that eventually turned into a hugely successful horror-movie universe.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The decision to turn her apartment into an immersive theme experience for an audience of one (and her Italian greyhound, Vito) was a natural, if outsize, expression of her fascination.
    Laura Bannister, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There are tons of enticing cold and hot drinks.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Responding to the demand, and hoping to entice younger shoppers into their financial ecosystems, payment facilitators such as Cash App, the BNPL provider Klarna, the fintech bank Chime, and even American Express have recently launched their own debit cards.
    Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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