decoy 1 of 2

as in bait
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decoy

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decoy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decoy are entice, inveigle, lure, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

Where would entice be a reasonable alternative to decoy?

The meanings of entice and decoy largely overlap; however, entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When might inveigle be a better fit than decoy?

The words inveigle and decoy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

When would lure be a good substitute for decoy?

In some situations, the words lure and decoy are roughly equivalent. However, lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

When could seduce be used to replace decoy?

The words seduce and decoy can be used in similar contexts, but seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

When is tempt a more appropriate choice than decoy?

The synonyms tempt and decoy are sometimes interchangeable, but tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.

tempted by the offer of money

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 decoy
Noun
Over the course of some five hours after midnight, Russia launched 407 drones and decoys, nearly 40 cruise missiles and six ballistic missiles from land, air and sea at towns and cities across the breadth of the nation, the Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement. Marc Santora, New York Times, 6 June 2025 From the master-of-disguise frogfish to a butt-biting jackal and a multi headed caterpillar playing the decoy, these are the masters of deception and deceit. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
Verb
Russian forces fired 103 Shahed and decoy drones at five Ukrainian regions overnight, Ukraine’s air force reported. Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Usually, Gordon camps in the dunker spot along the baseline and catches lobs from Jokic, sometimes decoyed as floaters. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decoy
Noun
  • If not for Thompson's breakout this past season, the Rockets might not have been emboldened to cut bait on Green and accelerate their win-now window.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • These ground-dwelling rodents were found climbing trees to access bait, likely due to resource limitations during a severe drought.
    Real-Time news team, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, however, the migration of traditional TV viewers to streaming and broadband venues has undermined the economics of traditional cable outlets — even those networks devoted to sports, a format which remains able to lure large simultaneous viewership.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • Then, because of a wage and salary cap used to control inflation during World War II, more employers offered health insurance to lure workers.
    Renuka Rayasam, NPR, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • But Phoenix ultimately wasn’t tempted by a package of Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
  • Don’t be tempted to eat them straight off of the cookie sheet—this is the hardest part of making this recipe.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Each tune has its own momentum, with several of them enticing audiences and exciting them for his sophomore album American Heart, which arrives tomorrow (Friday, June 20).
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • Netflix may entice its subscribers to chill, but the global streamer is working on new offerings and deals to future-proof its content lineup and business.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • As the relationship between the young couple became more serious, Sarah’s parents tried to show him the best of Kansas City in the hopes that Yaron — who grew up in Germany and Israel — might be persuaded to stay in the US.
    Wolf Blitzer, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
  • Even with that new path looming, though, his father, Ignacio, persuaded him to attend one last tryout in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo that would be scouted by all 30 MLB teams.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decoy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on decoy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!