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 As many other countries clamp down on the super-rich, Italy has been bucking the trend; its accommodative flat-tax regime has enticed hordes of big spenders drawn to luxury living and Milan's increasingly bustling business scene. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025 What would entice him to return to acting? Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 Music festivals such as Coachella have reportedly offered generous performance fees to entice the British jangle-pop staples to get back together, too, but the Smiths’ remaining members have rejected those deals. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025 Following critical acclaim in 2010, which also extended to the other two entries, StarCraft 2 evolved over the years by primarily targeting the hardcore crowd, while also expanding its mode selection to entice new players. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entice
Verb
  • Why Corporate Leaders Should Care Executives might be tempted to dismiss PSLF as a narrow policy issue affecting only government and nonprofit workers.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • You may be tempted to go straight in with loads of product, but for the best lash look, Gray recommends starting little by little.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This is because Curaçao has a rich legacy of live performance, with such local genres as ritmo kombina and tumba luring locals into small clubs packed with full-on mini orchestras.
    Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Maybe even lure restaurants and other businesses nearby.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The dramatic irony, of course, is that Julia did seduce Lovat and is now trying to take advantage of a precedent set by Davina with her own son, but Julia still ends up appealing to Davina’s better angels.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Either way, the intention is to transport, and to seduce, as with fine music.
    Douglas Unger August 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But much like Howard Jarvis feared, the tax-and-spend interests have sought to destroy Proposition 13 ever since, most recently by persuading courts to carve loopholes in its constitutional protections and invent new ways for government agencies to raise revenue.
    Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Elizabeth Stage, whose Oakland hills home barely escaped the deadly 1991 firestorm, and whose work as president of the Oakland FireSafe Council involves persuading residents to adopt Zone 0 measures, said the study would be a helpful, persuasive tool.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entice. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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