LURE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'lure' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lure are decoy , entice , inveigle , seduce , and tempt . While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving. // lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

Q: When might 'decoy' be a better fit than 'lure'?

In some situations, the words decoy and lure are roughly equivalent. However, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice. // attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

Q: When is 'entice' a more appropriate choice than 'lure'?

The synonyms entice and lure are sometimes interchangeable, but entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means. // advertising designed to entice new customers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'inveigle' instead of 'lure'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lure , inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering. // fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

Q: Where would 'seduce' be a reasonable alternative to 'lure'?

Although the words seduce and lure have much in common, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises. // seduced by assurances of assistance

Q: When would 'tempt' be a good substitute for 'lure'?

The words tempt and lure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment. // tempted by the offer of money

lure 1 of 2

verb

Definition of lure

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

lure

2 of 2

noun

ˈlu̇r

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

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

repellent

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lure differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lure are decoy, entice, inveigle, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

When might decoy be a better fit than lure?

In some situations, the words decoy and lure are roughly equivalent. However, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

When is entice a more appropriate choice than lure?

The synonyms entice and lure are sometimes interchangeable, but entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When is it sensible to use inveigle instead of lure?

While in some cases nearly identical to lure, inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

Where would seduce be a reasonable alternative to lure?

Although the words seduce and lure have much in common, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

When would tempt be a good substitute for lure?

The words tempt and lure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.

tempted by the offer of money

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lure

Verb

But state law only allows Orange’s TDT dollars to be used to build, maintain and operate convention centers, stadiums, arenas, and other arts and cultural facilities and events that lure visitors. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 Giu pays Father Joe a visit and gets infected with the same virus after being lured into the confession box. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2026

Noun

The storyline involves Lasso leaving his job as head coach of AFC Richmond, returning to Kansas City to be closer to his son, and the team’s front office attempting the lure him back to England. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 The lure drew thousands of crews to Hengdian last year to shoot projects in and around the sprawling Hengdian World Studios. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure

Verb

While on the trail, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife your dog may be tempted to chase.

— Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
You could be tempted to let a friend, sibling or group chat decide everything just to avoid an unnecessary debate.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of tempt

Noun

Living a dozen miles from their closest neighbor (who has a grudge with Lester), even further from the closest town (a downtrodden shell of its former self), and further still from any sort of hope — or temptation.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Every offer is firmly rebuffed, and the promise of an easier life, with the possibility of moving to a large apartment near the sea in Alexandria, holds no temptation.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of temptation

Noun

As extra consumer bait, the double album closed with this new studio cut built around a killer Schon lick (and not much else).

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
More than 5 million vaccine baits are distributed yearly to wildlife to control rabies in animals.

— Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of bait

Noun

Several symbolic scenes, similarly unfolding in sinuous long takes—a ritualistic repetition of local habits at the junk yard, a formal dance of non-seduction at a luncheonette with a jukebox—lay bare the town’s ingrained and unyielding mores.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Some Venus signs prefer seduction through mystery and minimalism, while others enjoy eccentricity or perhaps even maximalism.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of seduction

Verb

Ricki is charismatic but not otherwordly; if anything, the fact that James is able to seduce or threaten without appearing to do much at all is what makes Ricki extra formidable.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Or if leadership got seduced by silhouette, movement and atmosphere, neglecting to marry the galleries to the overall concept.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of seduce

Noun

States got creative with all sorts of financial incentives, from million-dollar prizes to college scholarships.

— Adam Zimmerman, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026
The suspension has already squeezed Indian exporters, as Dubai has long served as a key commercial hub for India's trade with Iran, giving India a direct economic incentive.

— Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of incentive

Verb

The country is one of Europe’s quickest growing AI markets, and major AI and big tech corporations such as Microsoft and TikTok have already pledged billions in investments into Finland, enticed by its growing role in Europe’s AI economy.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Rashford enticed the Ukrainian, then drove past him on the outside, further beating Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the area, forcing James Tarkowski to slide in to concede a corner.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of entice

Noun

Best of all, its central Old Town location puts Duval Street and many of Key West’s restaurants, bars, and attractions within easy walking distance.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
Researchers have long recognized that humor can grab attention, deepen social connection, and build attraction.

— Norbert Schwarz, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of attraction

Browse Nearby Words

lurching

lure

lured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lure. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of lure

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on lure

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

facsimile

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes