Definition of enticenext

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 And if the pizza isn’t enticing enough, Urban Cowboy’s cocktail program punches far above its weight class. Beth Rankin, Denver Post, 27 July 2026 Money has started to enter into the equation with high school athletes, players cannot only legally accept NIL deals at the prep level, but there is also money being tossed around illegally, as athletes are enticed to transfer to certain schools. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026 Biden-administration officials then looked for other ways to entice the Saudis to both restart normalization talks and help secure the Gaza Strip. Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 By this fall, the company expects to have a deep catalogue of bets to entice customers. Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for entice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entice
Verb
  • Donald has been tempted to return ever since the Rams made the blockbuster trade for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
    Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Others tried to widen their gaze to make sure their eyes would be open as the camera clicked, though the afternoon sun was tempting us to squint.
    Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Kehoe and other supporters argued that eliminating the income tax would boost the state’s economy and lure new companies and residents to Missouri.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Charges say the woman's son orchestrated a robbery targeting Goodsell, using another man's phone and vehicle to lure him.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This is not the beautiful creature who seduces Odysseus in the poem.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The young women acted as underground assassins, seducing Nazi officers, luring them into the woods and killing them.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • Ted was genuinely out of his depth, the conflicts felt earned, and the show still had to persuade audiences that its relentless optimism wasn’t naïve.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The research body also found that as part of the same effort, the agent tried to contact real people directly, sending messages and files to persuade them to run malicious code.
    Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entice. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on entice

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster