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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 At some point in Oliver Laxe’s beguiling new film Sirat, a character asks a fellow traveler their thoughts on what the end of the world might feel like. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025 Sherri Parlay, a good woman with a high libido, is seduced into murder by the beguiling heir to a dry-cleaning fortune. Sara Gran, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025 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 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
  • Children may be tempted to touch the flames, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees and some run with them, sometimes leading to eye impalement.
    Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
  • At month 10, schedule a conversation focused entirely on what might tempt them away.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • According to the most recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), sentiment among U.S. homebuilders is now at its lowest level since 2022, as many are forced to cut prices and offer incentives to entice reluctant buyers.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Consider homing in on messaging to entice potential guests at a state level, and including campaign variety that appeals to neighboring regions.
    Adam Deflorian, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • While denim remains a primary component of global fashion at every price point, don’t let its ubiquity and casual vibe fool you.
    Simon Mainwaring, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • But don’t let its impressive storage space fool you — the case folds in on itself to create a compact roll that’s easy to stow in suitcases and handbags.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The screenplay loses its way at the end but kids and adults will be enchanted by the inventive, eccentric characters and the rich animation.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
  • No longer interested in enchanting us, the filmmaker puts his audience through the wringer, and his kick-ass mentality is well-served by star Tom Cruise, who lives for these sorts of full-throttle roles.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • This is exactly how scammers trick people into giving up personal details, login credentials, or even payment information.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025
  • Madeline is pissed that Riri brought that kind of energy into their sacred space and Ronnie is mad at Riri for tricking her into getting her there then embarrassing her in front of company.
    Stacia Brown, Vulture, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beguile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguile. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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