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
Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Her latest is the most beguiling LP she’s made, and arguably her most deeply felt.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
The filmmaker behind our Best Film takes a formally bold and inquisitive approach to his very personal subject, working with his collaborators to combine elements of fiction and documentary into a film of beguiling melancholy and delicate beauty.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beguiling
Adjective
Well, that’d be Phil Mickelson, who once upon a time would’ve been a beguiling pick for Bethpage.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Her latest is the most beguiling LP she’s made, and arguably her most deeply felt.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
The filmmaker behind our Best Film takes a formally bold and inquisitive approach to his very personal subject, working with his collaborators to combine elements of fiction and documentary into a film of beguiling melancholy and delicate beauty.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beguiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguiling
Adjective
-
Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Experts immediately pointed out that Hassett had used a misleading method known as a cubic fit to make the mortality data appear less frightening.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
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For its misleading omissions, the Times story deserves a flunking grade.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Relying Too Much On Garbage Disposals Though the name may be deceiving, garbage disposals aren’t actually designed to dispose of all garbage.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
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That level of eye-deceiving detail falters in wide shots, however, some of which suffer from unflattering flat lighting that in certain instances recall computer screensavers of yore, given their colorful artificiality.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Choosing safer plants, securing the tree and keeping tempting items out of reach can help ensure the season stays festive for everyone, including the four-legged members of the family.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
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Fill your plate with healthier fare such as raw vegetables, shrimp cocktail and fresh fruit so there's less room for the higher-calorie dishes that are tempting you.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Fall travel season is here, and my suitcase is officially in its comfy-but-cute era.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Shoppers call out the cute and functional design.—
Kim Grundy,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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While not everyone gets their wishes, those with no interest in taking on the deceptive — and challenging — role of a Traitor likely won't be chosen.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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The legal claims included negligence, wrongful death, deceptive trade practices, and product liability.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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There’s even a growing market for clunky-but-charming mini cathode-ray-style TVs — and boomboxes with streaming capability.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beguiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguiling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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