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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of lure
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Across the Middle East, similar strategies are underway as countries seek to diversify oil-dependent economies and lure foreign investment with major infrastructure, energy and digital projects advancing.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Colorful reef and drift dives are the lure in the waters around Marsa Alam, where more than 60 spectacular dive sites are a siren call to (wet) suit up.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lure
Verb
Patrons helped lure her outside so undercover officers could move in, per the outlet.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Across the Middle East, similar strategies are underway as countries seek to diversify oil-dependent economies and lure foreign investment with major infrastructure, energy and digital projects advancing.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Beyond the lure, a nearly invisible harp net hung in the middle of a forest opening, where a single golden-haired creature was caught.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Colorful reef and drift dives are the lure in the waters around Marsa Alam, where more than 60 spectacular dive sites are a siren call to (wet) suit up.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure
Verb
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Competing stories tempt people and nations into war.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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But when a grubby circus impresario, Fulbert Freakfinder, arrives offering Stitch Head a starring role in his freak show, our hero is tempted by the promise of love and acceptance.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That troubling temptation to treat your phone like a magic portal to a better life finds an ideal personification in Tallulah (Odessa A’zion).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
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Measure draw lengths before the shopping begins, and help your protégé resist the temptation to pull too much draw weight.—
The Editors,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The movie has Oscar-bait performances from Jeremy Allen White as the Boss and Jeremy Strong as Landau.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
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Amos’s plan is to use Dinah as bait and wait for the target to come looking for her.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Your Venus sign and house placement can reveal where the sweetness and seduction come alive, so check where the love planet resides in your chart for more.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Taking inspiration from the Greek enchantress Circe, the fragrance embodies her mythical characteristics of seduction and power, alongside rebellion and creation.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Guided by director David Lynch, Ladd had a field day with Marietta, who tries to seduce her daughter’s boyfriend (Nicolas Cage).—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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Farrell plays John, the ambitious and chatty servant who is seduced by the mistress of the house (Jessica Chastain), as a nervous bundle of energy who becomes more agonized and frantic over the course of the film.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Feeling some heat from next door, New York sweetened its incentive package in its latest budget earlier this year.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
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This geopolitical calculus is complicated by immediate economic incentives.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Africa’s leading banking groups are targeting DR Congo, enticed by one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies and the promise of a lucrative mining sector, despite the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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And if Washington signed a trade deal with Pretoria, American officials might entice South Africa to work with the United States on its diplomatic efforts across the African continent.—
Richard Fontaine,
Foreign Affairs,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Comcast officials blamed the lower attendance at the Orlando parks in part on a lack of new attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure in anticipation of the Epic Universe grand opening.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
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The attraction sends guests 200 feet in the air at speeds up to 73 mph.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lure. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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