as in to tempt
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
the hunter lured the lion into the open with the antelope carcass
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in temptation
something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain
the promise of easy money is always the lure for some people to play the lottery good schools are a lure for prospective home buyers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bait
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap
the fish simply didn't seem to like the lure I was using, so I didn't catch a thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seduction
the act or pressure of giving in to a desire especially when ill-advised
the lure of the video game was distracting me from my studies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lure
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
The Die, My Love screening is just one of a host of glitzy premieres, luring Hollywood heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie (for Alice Winocour’s Couture) and Colin Farrell (for Edward Berger’s Ballad of a Small Player) to Spain’s northern coast this year.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
But even without European football, and after a decade in which Old Trafford has at times resembled a graveyard for promising careers, the lure of Manchester United — in terms of glamour, prestige and finance — remains powerful.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lure
Verb
In recent years, the companies have bickered about the rise of streaming services, in which the media companies are investing billions of dollars and which lure away cable and satellite customers.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
The Die, My Love screening is just one of a host of glitzy premieres, luring Hollywood heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie (for Alice Winocour’s Couture) and Colin Farrell (for Edward Berger’s Ballad of a Small Player) to Spain’s northern coast this year.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
The net is emptied net back into the water, minus the errant fishing lure which is tossed into a bucket among other trash collected for disposal.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
But even without European football, and after a decade in which Old Trafford has at times resembled a graveyard for promising careers, the lure of Manchester United — in terms of glamour, prestige and finance — remains powerful.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure
Verb
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Yet no one would be tempted to call one species natural, the other not.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
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The author throws out plenty of bones to tempt a composer.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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New research into Rembrandt van Rijn’s 1642 masterpiece suggests that this barking dog was inspired by the title page of a widely available book on the temptations of the flesh, illustrated by the Dutch artist, poet and publisher Adriaen van de Venne.—
Senay Boztas,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
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There will be plenty of temptation to go right for the jugular Monday night against a beleaguered Bengals defense.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As a result, the message is far more likely to reach a user's inbox without being flagged, increasing the chance the victim will take the bait.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Several comments submitted by the public in advance of the meeting framed the 250-foot-tall allowance as a bait-and-switch move by the developer.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There is agency at work in this seduction—not his, not mine, but theirs.—
Gary Greenberg,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
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The whole scene is a masterclass in femme seduction, the kind that could have only been directed by a lesbian.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here are some of the less invasive procedures seducing Hollywood, as well as some of their most sought-after practitioners.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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Janet and Brad are put in separate rooms and both are seduced in the night by a shape-shifting Frank – in Janet's case, losing her virginity.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Tesla had a first-mover advantage in China in 2013, leveraging the government’s support of EVs with subsidies and incentives and its production base and opening a gigafactory in Shanghai in 2019.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Livermore and Alameda officials unsuccessfully offered their own tax incentive packages.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The possibilities are enticing because of how both Mara and Johnson grade out defensively.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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The 6-foot-4, 260-pound outside linebacker has a draft pedigree that could entice other squads.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The goal is for the singles to connect on an emotional and intellectual level before seeing each other in person, thus building a foundation stronger than just physical attraction.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
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Other attractions include Bloodmoon Ranch, Funhouse Nightmare, Bleakmore Asylum, The Zombie Shootout, Escape Room, Axe Throwing and Monster Midway.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lure. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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