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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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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

So that fascinated me, the fact that these fields were somehow kind of edgy in terms of our definition of the scientific method and so on.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
What fascinates me most isn't simply whether Wagner can squeeze 621 miles out of this massive battery.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

Trump dismisses warnings Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, OpenAI’s Sam Altman and SpaceXAI’s Elon Musk have all called for greater government oversight of the industry after a series of hacks revealed AI agents conspiring to deceive humans.

— Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
The Bucs couldn’t ask for a better bounce-back opponent after dropping their opener in Cincy, a somewhat deceiving result because of all the Baker Mayfield turnovers.

— Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of deceive

Verb

Hopefully this is going to entice us in Sweden to watch more films from our neighboring countries.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Turkey’s growing hair transplant and restoration industry in particular entices people with easy-to-digest all-inclusive packages advertised on their websites, online placements, and social media.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

The second season of The Paper is a sitcom trying to fool itself.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
In July, OpenAI said its models were responsible for a cyber incident on another company, while Anthropic’s Claude models were also responsible for cybersecurity incidents, including in one case where Mythos created fake identities to fool humans.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of fool

Verb

Adva Lavie, an OnlyFans model, already is facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County for allegedly seducing and stealing from rich men.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Many have taken up such invitations, seduced by the island’s stress-free, go-slow rhythm.

— Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of seduce

Verb

The independent company prioritized restoring the hotel, which has a place on the National Register of Historic Places, to its former splendor and updating it to delight modern sensibilities.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
That’s the ugliest story linked to the name of a hangout that has delighted generations since Soyka and business partner Jeffrey Davis conceived of The News Cafe in 1988.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of delight

Verb

Twenty-one players, two tribes — there’s still tricks up host Jeff Probst’s sleeve.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
An impersonator may have tricked a Las Vegas nightclub last year, but those at the park Tuesday appeared convinced of their brush with Bieber.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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