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Synonym Chooser

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 There are a lot of ways for a developer to do this: arresting trailers, beguiling mysteries, the enthusiasm of livestreamers. Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025 And they were beguiled by the old-fashioned small-town feel of Maplewood, if a bit puzzled by its limited architectural options. New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025 Carmen, that beguiling Andalusian beauty created by a 19th-century French writer and afterwards made legendary by artists of different nationalities—in opera, dance, and film—continues to fascinate. Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025 For now, here are the titles that beguile us going in. Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beguile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguile
Verb
  • The writer was fascinated with sharks after spotting them during childhood fishing trips with his father on Nantucket.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 20 June 2025
  • That stuff about the Gunn Mummy fascinates me though.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • The person is not trying to deceive or control, but the behavior still affects others and requires self awareness and growth to correct.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
  • Where was this sense of urgency when the mullahs were attempting to deceive U.N. inspectors while sandbagging U.S. efforts to diplomatically scuttle the country’s nuclear efforts?
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • But Phoenix ultimately wasn’t tempted by a package of Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
  • Stay grounded in your values, and don’t be tempted by shiny, unrealistic offers.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Each tune has its own momentum, with several of them enticing audiences and exciting them for his sophomore album American Heart, which arrives tomorrow (Friday, June 20).
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • Netflix may entice its subscribers to chill, but the global streamer is working on new offerings and deals to future-proof its content lineup and business.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Even though baby clothes and newborn diapers feel too tiny to wreak havoc, don’t be fooled!
    Briana Feigon, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2025
  • Perhaps that’s what fans were griping about last year — that Burns didn’t have it anymore and Slavin was papering over all those issues, enough to fool this model.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • The first classic of the summer noir genre is no doubt René Clément’s adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel The Talented Mr. Ripley about a young American upstart who travels to Italy and murders a wealthy socialite before stealing his identity and seducing his wife.
    Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
  • She was also found guilty of disorderly conduct for supposedly trying to seduce an undercover policewoman named Margaret Leonard, who’d been assigned to entrap her.
    Kellie B. Gormly, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Explore Tallulah Falls Cumberland Island Steeped in history, this enchanting Georgia barrier island feels suspended in time.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 May 2025
  • Bali Known for its beaches and spiritual atmosphere, Bali has long been enchanting travelers looking for solace.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That was the crux of the latest Gmail attack, tricking users into sharing codes.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • But in its most simple explanation, the Chiefs trick people.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beguile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguile. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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