LEAD ON Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

lead on

verb

Definition of lead on

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead on

Verb

If the thermostat is working properly but the air conditioner is struggling, don’t be tempted to turn down the temperature even more.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026
Fast capital can create a false sense of security, tempting companies to take on massive contracts before their core production processes or management structures have matured enough to handle that scale.

— Chris Hale, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of tempt

Verb

Dozens of new laws take effect in Colorado on Wednesday as part of state lawmakers’ efforts to increase safety of ride-hailing apps, improve affordable housing development and curb Coloradans from leaving out trash that could lure bears.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
According to court records, Conahan, an unemployed nurse, lured Montgomery into the woods in northern Charlotte County to take nude bondage photos.

— CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of lure

Verb

Topline Consumer prices rose as expected in July, according to Federal data published Wednesday, as analysts projected an in-line inflation report would likely persuade the Federal Reserve not to raise interest rates next month.

— Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Police called in crisis negotiators to persuade the man to surrender as firefighters extinguished the fire.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

The houses are capturing spending from wealthy collectors, winning over some former primary-market customers, and using luxury to entice entirely new buyers over to the auction ecosystem.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Fall fashion tends to kickstart our lust for the new season as brands start to launch enticing pre-fall collections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of entice

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“Lead on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead%20on. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lead on

verb

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