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
Topwater lures produced a couple of thrilling peacock hits from fish up to 4½ pounds, as well as a number of misses. Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025 Weiss is only in the earliest part of her tenure, but her presence at CBS News is already spurring scrutiny of a news division that hasn’t been seen since NBC News lured Megyn Kelly there from Fox News Channel in 2017. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Also, sometimes the lure of carry is the shortest way to hell. Vineer Bhansali, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for lure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure
Verb
  • Dining options are so good you may be tempted to stay on the property for your meals.
    Sara Liss, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
  • And just in case they are tempted, Ghost has adopted a strict no-phones policy at its shows.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Is there a temptation to restore Murillo?
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • It is made up of Marcus Aurelius’s advice to himself, produced perhaps as an antidote to being constantly surrounded by and subjected to the temptation and corruption of life as Emperor.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Toronto could have easily traded Guerrero and Bichette as rentals, moved starters Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt and cut bait with George Springer.
    Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • And so states that took the bait of new-tax windfalls find themselves in a hole.
    Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Basically, to find this seduction.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • If last season at Tom Ford was about seduction, spring-summer 2026 is about desire.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Countless service members were seduced by the region’s beauty and fair weather and chose to settle here.
    Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Models walking his sultry runway seduced the audience in beautiful suiting, a dress with a plunging neckline that mirrored an equally high slit.
    Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the agency said there are also signs that development is spreading into other markets, like Las Vegas, that offer affordable land, cheap electricity from renewable power plants and industry tax incentives.
    Michael Copley, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Jennings was awarded up to $3 million in playing incentives, but injuries have led to him not having a good start to the year.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His success in Triple-A this year could entice a team to take a chance on him.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • And, that, my friends, will be the cause of much celebration if he could ever be enticed to perform at, say, the National Theatre, the Royal Court or the Almeida or the Donmar or in the commercial West End.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Odds are there's crumbs or improperly stored food that's caused the attraction, especially for ants and flies.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The ancient structure is a must-visit attraction and a symbol of China’s rich cultural heritage.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lure. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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