Synonyms of inveigle

inveigle

verb

as in to persuade

Related Words

• persuade
• seduce
• entice
• lure
• tempt
• beguile
• draw in
• ensnare
• rope (in)
• entrap
• betray
• snow
• enmesh
• solicit
• allure
• bait
• trap
• decoy
• lead on
• snare
• bewitch
• captivate
• mesh
• tangle
• magnetize
• charm
• catch
• wile
• fascinate
• enchant
• immesh

Dissimilar Words

• warn
• alert
• caution
• ward (off)
• drive (away or off)
• forewarn
• turn away
• repulse

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inveigle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inveigle are decoy, entice, lure, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

When is it sensible to use decoy instead of inveigle?

While in some cases nearly identical to inveigle, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

When might entice be a better fit than inveigle?

Although the words entice and inveigle have much in common, entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When could lure be used to replace inveigle?

The words lure and inveigle can be used in similar contexts, but lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

When is seduce a more appropriate choice than inveigle?

While the synonyms seduce and inveigle are close in meaning, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

In what contexts can tempt take the place of inveigle?

The meanings of tempt and inveigle largely overlap; 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

Recent Examples of inveigle

Unlike his small-time Israeli rivals, the placards implied, Netanyahu was a savvy statesman who punched above his weight on the international stage, thanks to his unaccented English oratory and ability to inveigle the world’s most powerful people. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025

On hand for the séance is a thoroughly skeptical Poirot, inveigled to attend by a mystery-novelist friend, Ariadne Oliver. —Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023

Norman Mailer tried to inveigle his dinner guests into an orgy, and not long after wrote a cruel letter to Styron, breaking off their friendship. —Marion Winik, Washington Post, 15 June 2023

At a ball where Byron was surrounded by a flock of ladies, Lamb inveigled the hostess to introduce her, and, having looked earnestly, wordlessly, into the poet’s face, Lamb immediately turned on her heel. —Clare McHugh, Washington Post, 28 May 2023

Another threat that is likely to inveigle itself into the Web3 domain is phishing. —Andrew Newman, Forbes, 4 May 2022

All of those thinly veiled efforts to inveigle an answer are met with a stock response. —New York Times, 26 Nov. 2021

To reach Peru, Dr. Koepcke had to first get to a port and inveigle his way onto a trans-Atlantic freighter. —New York Times, 18 June 2021

The two cell-surface proteins that SARS-CoV-2 uses to make contact with its target cells and inveigle its way into them would fit into this category. —The Economist, 20 Aug. 2020

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!