as in to tempt
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
a con man whose dupes are usually led on by their own greed and eagerness to turn an easy buck
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead on
Verb
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During the most classic hero’s journey of them all, Odysseus prepares assiduously for his encounter with the Sirens, tying himself to the mast long before he can be tempted.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026 -
Orange You may be tempted by the high-octane energy of orange, but Huston warns against it.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Verb
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House Bill 1030 proposed to lure data center developers to the state by offering them sales tax breaks in exchange for complying with regulations.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
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The prosecution argued that Bryant had encountered Morales before and likely followed her from the Sterling Glen Apartments, then either lured her with his badge or forced her into his truck before killing her and leaving her body in the woods.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The sister of King Charles III is rarely seduced by trends, fashions, or labels.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
9 May 2026
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Onscreen, Andy was being seduced by a heavily jawed man with blond hair.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Araghchi questioned whether the latest military exchange was meant to pressure Iran into a peace deal or the result of someone persuading the president of the United States (POTUS) to extend the conflict.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Historically, Angelenos didn’t need to be persuaded to ride the train.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
His frame and traits are enticing.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Office renovations and conversions in Charlotte Post-COVID, office towers have to either entice people to come back to the cubicle or change uses.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lead on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead%20on. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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