inveigle

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

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 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inveigle
Verb
  • Masiko enrolled him in a boarding school and persuaded Peter’s mom to allow her son to move in with his family.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The alleged gunman was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, whose family persuaded him to turn himself in after a two-day manhunt.
    Landon Mion , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These two energies seduced me to find womxn who, through their artistic work, were open to rebellious acts such as publishing art books on essential topics.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • What really happened was that Cherry seduced Daniel into leaving after spotting her ex-boyfriend Nicholas’s new fiancée.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The increase in payments to insurers could be seen as a way to entice Medicare beneficiaries to move to Medicare Advantage.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Because while the perks of his elevated status are enticing, maintaining his dominance is as difficult as establishing it.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nepal The climbing capital of the world, Nepal has been luring mountaineers for decades, including up the busy South Col route to the summit of Mount Everest.
    Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In April, Liverpool lured CFG’s director of football data Laurie Shaw to Anfield in what was regarded as a major coup within the industry.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
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
  • The filmmaker behind our Best Film takes a formally bold and inquisitive approach to his very personal subject, working with his collaborators to combine elements of fiction and documentary into a film of beguiling melancholy and delicate beauty.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Althoff’s sarcastic deadpan humor, beguiling personality and awkward line of questioning led her to interviews with Drake, Tyga, Lil Yachty, Rubi Rose, Nick Cannon and Mark Cuban.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Kane has been a constant thorn in the Gunners’ side for years, scoring 15 times in 21 meetings against them and scored at the Emirates for Bayern in a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the quarter-finals two years ago.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Christian M’billi also fought Lester Martinez to a split draw in a super middleweight fight.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inveigle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveigle. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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