1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a smart and beguiling child who can manipulate her parents with alarming ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
the beguiling allure of a life of crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic
the magician effortlessly beguiled and amazed the children
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2
as in deceiving
to cause to believe what is untrue
beguiled her into believing that yet another worthless item would enhance her life
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3
as in tempting
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beguiling
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
This spring there are no shrinking violets, only beguiling wallflowers.
—Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The results of all those frames are beguiling slow-motion shots that show just how close riders’ body parts are to touching the pavement while leaning during turns.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beguiling
Adjective
After a 2025 tour of her native Japan, the beguiling singer-songwriter returns to North America and Europe in 2026 to level up her ever-growing itinerary behind the revelatory Luminescent Creatures.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
This spring there are no shrinking violets, only beguiling wallflowers.
—Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
Approximately 170 miles north of downtown San Francisco, Fort Bragg is a remote coastal city in California, beloved for its native redwoods, beguiling bluffs and beaches, and overall sense of tranquility.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The results of all those frames are beguiling slow-motion shots that show just how close riders’ body parts are to touching the pavement while leaning during turns.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beguiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguiling
Adjective
-
Goldsworthy has made cunning edits of the landscape throughout Penpont.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Perhaps most perceptively captivating is the sweetly cunning way Marczak inserts himself into the film.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This is both obvious and a bit misleading.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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By the end of his first term, The Washington Post had documented 30,573 false or misleading claims.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Your eyes aren't deceiving you.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
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The final score is a bit deceiving, as Pittsburgh led by 18 before the Cowboys rallied near the end.—
Greg Rajan,
Houston Chronicle,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, the most transformative (and perhaps) tempting storyline of 2026 unfolds from within.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
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Instead of women tempting men with vice, now the great fear is that women will tempt men with virtue.—
Hillary Rodham Clinton,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Puppy Bowl isn’t just cute — it’s built around adoption, heart and moments that matter beyond Super Bowl Sunday.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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Don’t be shy when playing around with colors, patterns, and cute Galentine’s motifs.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This type of malware is often spread through fake software updates, malicious email attachments, compromised browser extensions or deceptive ads.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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Bright sunshine on Sunday will be deceptive as highs will only reach the low to mid-20s.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If your Valentine loves sliders, celebrate by charming your sweetie at the burger joint known for its tiny burgers.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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That group of Democrats sees Mamdani as having scored a political victory by charming the president.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beguiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguiling. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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