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 you’re tempted to skip the conversation and start scrolling through your partner’s chat history, Nelson suggests asking yourself why.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Oct. 2026
After viciously hitting step-back threes, trash talking anyone who dares tempt him and racking up two NBA scoring titles, Doncic just likes to stay home, maybe get lunch or play cards.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of tempt

Verb

For film, the roadmap covers support for luring large-scale location shoots, backing for international co-productions built on Japanese IP and tougher anti-piracy measures.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs while Lula, trying to lure undecided voters, has invested in costly incentives.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of lure

Verb

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
Will Stewart be seduced into the path of corruption by using Sinestro’s emotionally tainted battery, or steel himself against ill influences and continue to blaze his own trail as Earth's sole protector for the time being?

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of seduce

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

Definition of persuade

Verb

The many interactive exhibits that dot the new building’s 200,000 square feet of gallery space are geared to entice and educate people of all ages.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Justin Perez, 28, of Springfield, Massachusetts took a plea deal on Monday in Rockville Superior Court, pleading guilty to charges of risk of injury to a minor and enticing a minor, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of lead on

verb

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