inveigle

Definition of inveiglenext

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 But his wayward cousin Freddie constantly inveigles him into more serious mischief. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inveigle
Verb
  • And Michael was obviously the most on my case, and there was no persuading him otherwise.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
  • In 2020, Ben Motal aptly persuaded the Court of Appeals that the FOIA's right to copy records includes photographing them, after Little Rock incredibly barred him from snapping a picture of an accident report.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Our personal data is constantly being bought and sold by all manner of companies and organizations that use it to target us with advertisements, seduce us with scams, and otherwise waste our precious time.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The last crime, a blackmail scheme that involved hiring a prostitute to seduce his sister’s husband, suggests a dubious approach to conflict management.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Once the victim engages in a back-and-forth, a supervisor experienced in emotional manipulation takes over to build a relationship and entice the victim to hand over their money.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Only a handful of new acts a year develop with the profile and following to entice that kind of spending on physical product from their fans, but there’s no shortage of such acts to be found in the past.
    — Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Last month, the parent company of the new Texas Stock Exchange raised $155 million in a third funding round meant to lure companies away from the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.
    — Shelly Banjo, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Once Anchovy Jack settled in one area, rescuers lured him into a humane trap.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • What will be just as interesting is if Democrats start thinking of Texas as a swing state, too, and whether their Presidential nominee in 2028 is tempted to put James Talarico or Gina Hinojosa on the ticket.
    — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Things to do Hotel Motto is not just a base for exploring the city – the rooms are so comfortable you might be tempted not to leave them.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Young said the uniqueness and counterintuitive nature of the honor code can actually be a draw in recruiting.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Simmons, hampered by a leg injury after a QB draw in the fourth quarter, threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-43 accuracy.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inveigle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveigle. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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