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
  • 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
Verb
  • Still, with more than 40,000 industry jobs lost in the past few years, soundstages and vendor storefronts sitting empty, and lucrative overseas incentives seducing even more production away, things are bleak in town right now.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Sal knows how to properly spark a Zippo, seduce women, shuck oysters, throw a punch, and other Badass Masshole 101 lessons.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • There could be enough of the Heat’s mid-level exception available to entice Klay Thompson into taking a Mavericks buyout.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The main sticking point is Real Madrid’s failure to offer something that entices both City and the player, whose contract expires at the Etihad on June 30, 2027.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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
  • The crispy beef tacos are a perennial craving, but other unorthodox tacos tempt, too.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The bottom line Savers with $40,000 in their bank account may be tempted to invest in stocks, bonds or real estate right now.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And then there is the culinary creativity of The Dining Room—a huge draw in its own right.
    Delilah Khomo, Vanity Fair, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Brighton face a hectic start to the season, which begins on August 20 with the away leg of a tie against Romanian side Cluj or Norway’s Tromso in the play-off round of the Conference League following Monday’s draw in Switzerland.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on inveigle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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