INVEIGLE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

inveigle

verb

Definition of inveigle

as in to persuade

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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

Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Mamut and Grönberg were persuaded by Paul Best, a new arrival at Elliott, who believed that the eclipse of brick-and-mortar retail by online commerce had been overstated, and that certain chains could flourish if well capitalized.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

Armani’s languid silhouette soon seduced red- and blue-blooded men the world over.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
The second allows the devil to slide into his DMs, utilizing a seduce-and-destroy approach that will eventually lead to Sutskever becoming OpenAI’s resident Chicken Little and the tech industry’s conscientious objector.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of seduce

Verb

But while Cartman and Ike are in Sephora, they get enticed into going into the backrooms with an employee, which look straight out of Kane Parsons’ horror film.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Some blame the content for not being enticing enough, while others contend that the programs could be promoted better on Netflix.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

This is a different message his predecessor, Greg Norman, had in 2022 when LIV Golf launched by spending more than $1 billion to lure away stars who couldn't ignore the money.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Rather than through a cold call or email, the scammers lure them through websites offering self-publishing or vanity publishing.

— Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of lure

Verb

Meaning while its performance numbers may not draw in huge crowds, its sheer exclusivity might just do the trick.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
At the top of the staircase, which de Buffévent said was a big draw in choosing the location and now comes with a banister by ironwork artist Romain Barré, who was also behind that giant daisy — there’s a succession of salons.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of draw in

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inveighs

inveigle

inveigled

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“Inveigle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveigle. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inveigle

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