BEGUILE Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'beguile' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beguile are deceive , delude , and mislead . While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. // was beguiled by false promises

Q: When is 'deceive' a more appropriate choice than 'beguile'?

While the synonyms deceive and beguile are close in meaning, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness. // tried to deceive me about the cost

Q: When would 'delude' be a good substitute for 'beguile'?

The meanings of delude and beguile largely overlap; however, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth. // we were deluded into thinking we were safe

Q: In what contexts can 'mislead' take the place of 'beguile'?

The words mislead and beguile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional. // I was misled by the confusing sign

beguile

verb

bi-ˈgī(-ə)l

Definition of beguile

as in to fascinate

to attract or delight as if by magic the magician effortlessly beguiled and amazed the children

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue beguiled her into believing that yet another worthless item would enhance her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage was beguiled by the promise of easy money as a drug dealer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb beguile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beguile are deceive, delude, and mislead. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When is deceive a more appropriate choice than beguile?

While the synonyms deceive and beguile are close in meaning, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

When would delude be a good substitute for beguile?

The meanings of delude and beguile largely overlap; however, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

In what contexts can mislead take the place of beguile?

The words mislead and beguile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

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 beguile Not just earworms but moodworms; beguiling outsider art by a professional. — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 2026 Wooley sensitively explores the nuances of Miles’ profound music, with Susan Alcorn’s beguiling clouds of pedal steel guitar, Ava Mendoza’s potent electric guitar, and Ryan Sawyer’s responsive drumming. — Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 6 June 2026 The neighborhood/area Savvy visitors often prefer to stay along beguiling Atlantic Seaboard neighborhoods like Bantry Bay and Clifton for their stunning water views and endless sunsets, or in the lively Gardens or Seapoint areas with their hip cafés and boutiques. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026 The first was that Leah, with her beguiling Valley monotone and passion for a man who cuddled with insects, was becoming the star of season 6. — Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for beguile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguile

Verb

The reaction to this movie fascinates me, starting in Cannes.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
In 2008, passionate surfer Tim Russo purchased the property, renamed it, and set out to organically grow it into a resort full of wonder where serious surfers and travelers fascinated with the surf lifestyle could vacation happily.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

Some veterans say recruiters deceived them and Haitian authorities tortured them; their families call them scapegoats.

— Astrid Suárez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Some of the Colombians have long maintained that they were deceived about the mission and arrived at the home after Moïse had already been killed.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceive

Verb

But while Cartman and Ike are in Sephora, they get enticed into going into the backrooms with an employee, which look straight out of Kane Parsons’ horror film.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Some blame the content for not being enticing enough, while others contend that the programs could be promoted better on Netflix.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

Armani’s languid silhouette soon seduced red- and blue-blooded men the world over.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
The second allows the devil to slide into his DMs, utilizing a seduce-and-destroy approach that will eventually lead to Sutskever becoming OpenAI’s resident Chicken Little and the tech industry’s conscientious objector.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of seduce

Verb

The Nespresso devotee in your life will delight at the chance to try a different classic or limited-edition coffee capsule every day in the lead-up to Christmas.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Tse Yang was the finest Chinese restaurant to open in Madrid, and its crispy Peking Duck has been delighting locals for years.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Verb

Those conducting the online scams are sometimes willing con artists, and other times trafficked foreign nationals -- many Chinese -- tricked themselves into work and held in prison-like compounds.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
But a few times in recent years, Hollins, a veterinarian, tricked Jonathan and slid a cotton swab into the giant tortoise’s mouth to get a saliva sample.

— Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of trick

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begs off

beguile

beguiled

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“Beguile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguile. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of beguile

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