entice

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb entice differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of entice are decoy, inveigle, lure, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When is it sensible to use decoy instead of entice?

While the synonyms decoy and entice are close in meaning, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

Where would inveigle be a reasonable alternative to entice?

The words inveigle and entice can be used in similar contexts, but inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

In what contexts can lure take the place of entice?

Although the words lure and entice have much in common, 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 entice?

The meanings of seduce and entice largely overlap; however, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

When would tempt be a good substitute for entice?

In some situations, the words tempt and entice are roughly equivalent. However, 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 entice After a presentation to industry execs and producers, Manuel Deus told us that the vision for the new virtual studio is to designed to service domestic players, but also to entice clients from international markets. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025 The possibilities are enticing because of how both Mara and Johnson grade out defensively. Cj Moore, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 The 6-foot-4, 260-pound outside linebacker has a draft pedigree that could entice other squads. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025 These maggots vomit and excrete illuminated threads of bile to entice tiny insects to their deaths. Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entice
Verb
  • Some may be tempted to quote Warren Buffett as a counterpoint, who was famously skeptical on the utility of gold.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Like some of the other band members, he was tempted to follow.
    Ivan Kashinsky, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There are other projects in the works as well, but Academy is currently Paramount+’s best hope for the franchise’s future and for luring, well, the next generation.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Decades before the internet, Gunness exploited men’s loneliness — luring them to her hog farm with the promise of romance and sending many to a shallow grave beneath the Indiana soil.
    Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The novel opens as the teenage Karl Rossmann, whose parents shipped him off to America for fathering a child when he was seduced by the family’s thirty-five-year-old cook, arrives on a steamer in New York harbor and sees the Statue of Liberty holding not the emblematic torch but rather a sword.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Her distinctive style stance has seduced the likes of Addison Rae, Ice Spice, Kylie Jenner, Hari Nef, Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, Chloë Sevigny and Sarah Jessica Parker.
    Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Vulnerable, the hefty game bonus would persuade me to issue an invitation.
    Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Witkoff, who has labored on Middle East diplomacy since January alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, persuaded Kushner to lend a hand.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entice. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

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