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beguiling 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈgī-liŋ How to pronounce beguiling (audio)
Definition of beguilingnext
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

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2
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive the beguiling allure of a life of crime

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beguiling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of beguile
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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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 beguiling
Adjective
These include an always-performing, mercurial actress (Greta Lee, enjoying every minute of this meaty role) dedicated to the fine art of being considered beguiling. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 In Lili Horvát’s beguiling third feature, the sudden return of Sam’s missing wife, who has no memory of anything except her scientific research, gives their relationship another chance. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 Aug. 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
  1. cunning
  2. misleading
  3. fascinating
  4. deceiving
  5. tempting
  6. cute
  7. deceptive
  8. charming
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, third wife Iya Femi (Bimbo Ademoye) is the most cunning and ruthless in trying to defend her position within the household, playing up to Iya Segi’s schemes as her most willing conspirator.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But the heart of this story is the toxic years-long romance between Marjorie and her co-conspirator Bill Rothstein (David Harbour), an equally cunning player who was blinded by love.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • The final answer may cite real sources and still be misleading.
    — Patrick Dajos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Providing false or misleading information to law enforcement undermines those efforts and unnecessarily diverts officers and resources away from members of our community who may need immediate police assistance.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of misleading
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
  • Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2025
Definition of fascinating
Verb
  • The Bucs couldn’t ask for a better bounce-back opponent after dropping their opener in Cincy, a somewhat deceiving result because of all the Baker Mayfield turnovers.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The public deserves to know which of his points were defensible and which were deceiving.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of deceiving
Verb
  • The moody Moon squares enthusiastic Jupiter early this morning, tempting us to spend too much, promise too much, or turn one feeling into a full production.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2026
  • However, when one of the three women feels guilty about snubbing their lifelong pal, Mel shows up and suddenly the weekend turns to complete chaos, tempting the trio to break free from the madness that has hobbled their friend group for years.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tempting
Adjective
  • Then toss a fresh pair of leggings into your cart to wear with popular oversized sweaters, and cute capris for the in-between-temp days.
    — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
  • This year, the Time Out publishing group has voted Seoul’s Jongno 3-Ga the world’s coolest neighborhood, highlighting its cute shops and cafes as well as its Instagram-ready scenery.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • That’s why Meta has agreed to pay up to eighteen billion dollars as part of a settlement over predatory and deceptive practices, and why Anthropic is paying writers and publishers (admittedly, pennies) in a copyright settlement.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Some states have enacted laws requiring disclosures or restricting deceptive political deepfakes near elections.
    — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Verb
  • As John and Gates are playing cards, with the con man still working on charming the agent, the first guard assigned outside in the hallway drops.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Plant flowering shrubs or vines that can trail over the top, charming the neighbors while screening the view at the same time.
    — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of charming

Browse Nearby Words

beguiles
beguiling
begun
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Cite this Entry

“Beguiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguiling. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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