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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 Wedged in the far southeastern corner of the bottom of the continent, between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa, a status that bewilders modernizers and beguiles traditionalists. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025 Ferry isn’t the only academic researcher beguiled by these snapshots of another era. Suyin Haynes, CNN Money, 22 July 2025 Episodes ended by dangling game rules and character deaths, beguiling us to keep watching. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 June 2025 The atmosphere is beguiling, because all these signs do not quite equate to a feeling, or diagnosis, of danger. Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for beguile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguile
Verb
  • Not only this, but fascinated by the sundials and time-telling monuments inside the course, Hovland reportedly skipped swing practice to soak in the heritage.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
  • That discovery opened a world of luxury candles, leading me to discover storied fragrance houses like Trudon and Astier de Villatte, fascinated by their intricate scent pyramids and captivating descriptions.
    Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Despite being deceived, Stone, who dated Garfield for four years, conceded that the actor's dedication to the secret was honorable.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
  • That’s 14 years of dreaming, dissolving, romanticizing, escaping, and sometimes deceiving ourselves.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Dining options are so good you may be tempted to stay on the property for your meals.
    Sara Liss, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
  • And just in case they are tempted, Ghost has adopted a strict no-phones policy at its shows.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His success in Triple-A this year could entice a team to take a chance on him.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • And, that, my friends, will be the cause of much celebration if he could ever be enticed to perform at, say, the National Theatre, the Royal Court or the Almeida or the Donmar or in the commercial West End.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Do not let the dashing green velvet suit, the yellow leather gloves, the silk cravat or the pencil-thin mustache, a tonsorial touch that suggests the matinee idols of yesteryear, fool you.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • But don’t be fooled into thinking that’s the norm.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Conveniently, two beautiful young strangers (Ana de Armas, Lorenza Izzo) come by late one stormy night, inviting themselves in and quickly seducing him.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Countless service members were seduced by the region’s beauty and fair weather and chose to settle here.
    Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And to those of you who are new, I'm enchanted to meet you.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Like millions of viewers, Rashad Raisani grew enchanted with Music City through watching the soapy nighttime drama Nashville, which captivated fans during its 2012-2018 run and led to a major tourism boom in Nashville and interest in country music.
    Melinda Newman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Maybe not that play exactly, just the fact USC would try to trick Notre Dame because the Trojans weren’t going to beat them conventionally.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Poor Rosemary is tricked by those closest to her through what is quite literally a hellish pregnancy, culminating in an unforgettable ending and an enduring performance from a wide-eyed Farrow.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beguile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguile. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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