lure 1 of 2

lure

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Like so many adolescents, the 27-year-old New York native left piano behind, lured by the siren call of, well, literally anything else. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 In the hacking campaigns Proofpoint analyzed, cybercriminals attempted to trick users into downloading and installing Stealerium as an attachment or a web link, luring victims with typical bait like a fake payment or invoice. Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Canadians wouldn’t be here, but for their son and the generous fishing lure. Pat Maio, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025 After graduation, with his superstar friends making millions in the NFL, the lure of fast money soon becomes too much to resist. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure
Verb
  • You might be tempted to blame greed for the nonrefundability crisis.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • And with so many gorgeous neutrals to choose from, I may be tempted to add more than one shade to my cart.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Leaving the area removes temptation to touch the firearm and reduces danger of negligent injury from another person.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
  • There will be a temptation because of his height to draw parallels with Moyes’ use of Marouane Fellaini and Soucek, two key pillars of his Everton and West Ham sides, but where Rohl is concerned, his size can be deceptive.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Ant baits are effective because foraging workers take the food back to the nest and share so that everyone in the colony is exposed.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Can we be blamed for taking the bait?
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This is the seduction drawing the ultra rich.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The seduction of cognitive automation helps explain a worrying pattern: AI tools can boost the productivity of experts but may also actively mislead novices in expertise-heavy fields such as legal services.
    David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Either way, the intention is to transport, and to seduce, as with fine music.
    Douglas Unger August 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
  • What starts as a one-night stand quickly spirals into something more complicated when Nick (Thomas Kretschmann), a powerful developer, gets involved and recruits Tom to seduce and manipulate Lilli into giving up her family's home.
    EW.com, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Where the data is essential—say, health details for a pet—testing light incentives makes sense.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Check for state or local EV incentives and utility rebates.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Dr Pepper has invested heavily in marketing during college football games and come up with novel flavors like strawberries and cream to entice soda drinkers.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The company, which started in 1947 in Conecuh County, Alabama, has a potent combination of enticing hickory smoke and a patented blend of seasonings that set their products apart from the usual offerings in the grocery-store meat case.
    Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • His versatility, as someone who has played across midfield, on the left and even up front, was another attraction when Everton weighed up an offer.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Lisbon brings in millions of tourists yearly, with the streetcar as one of its most popular attractions.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lure. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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