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
Still, that discomfort runs through the 71-minute movie in the characters’ bid to tear through the bars of Krakow, preying on innocent revellers and luring them to their deaths. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025 Tourism followed with its charm, luring visitors from around the world to ski towns, national parks and wide open beauty. Reid Rasner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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 The building, including the now-iconic Calatrava addition, was also a lure. Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure
Verb
  • Why Corporate Leaders Should Care Executives might be tempted to dismiss PSLF as a narrow policy issue affecting only government and nonprofit workers.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • You may be tempted to go straight in with loads of product, but for the best lash look, Gray recommends starting little by little.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Equally important, leadership must resist the temptation to measure success solely in quarterly earnings.
    Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Suddenly, temptation is everywhere.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Ballyhoo, a fish common in the Florida Keys and typically treated as bait, is bathed in a punchy white soy ponzu.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Among the FishPro features are a Garmin GPS and fishfinder unit, a cooler for live bait or your catch, rod-holders, a large front storage space ideal for tackle and other accessories such as a swivel seat, and a waterproof, shockproof compartment for a smart phone.
    Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Claude can’t disentangle her years-ago affair with Mathias from feelings of self-recrimination and guilt, and seesaws between anger and seduction.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This is the seduction drawing the ultra rich.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The dramatic irony, of course, is that Julia did seduce Lovat and is now trying to take advantage of a precedent set by Davina with her own son, but Julia still ends up appealing to Davina’s better angels.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Either way, the intention is to transport, and to seduce, as with fine music.
    Douglas Unger August 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The projects received millions in state and local tax incentives after promising to create thousands of new jobs.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Both the Kansas and Missouri legislatures have extended the team’s incentive package deadlines to give them more time to make a decision.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There are tons of enticing cold and hot drinks.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Responding to the demand, and hoping to entice younger shoppers into their financial ecosystems, payment facilitators such as Cash App, the BNPL provider Klarna, the fintech bank Chime, and even American Express have recently launched their own debit cards.
    Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The arcade, escape room, mining and carnival style games are excluded, and some rides and attractions have height and weight restrictions.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Look back at theme park in photos The awards, established in 1998, shine a spotlight on the amusement park industry and attractions by recognizing the best of the best, according to the publication.
    Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lure. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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