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
About the only sport that didn’t try to lure him onto a roster was the powerhouse Simley wrestling team, which is an every-year contender for the Minnesota state championship. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025 But Chobani, which did not respond to a request for comment, had reached out to the state in May of last year about the project, state records show, and benefited from a state program that lures companies with shovel-ready sites. Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Noun
Dorsey, fishing his favorite bottom-bumper lure, made spot casts into the flat water midstream. Arthur Grahame, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2025 Tennessee’s softball team, also relocated to this space due to heavy rains, cannot resist its lure. Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure
Verb
  • At month 10, schedule a conversation focused entirely on what might tempt them away.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • Children may be tempted to touch the flames, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees and some run with them, sometimes leading to eye impalement.
    Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • The United States economy is vastly different from ancient Rome’s, with one important exception: there remains today the same temptation to finance public promises with money created out of thin air.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • Cancellara’s allusion to Van Aert showcases the temptation to include other riders.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Guests learn how to read the water, what to watch for, what surface breaks mean, and how to track bait activity.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 9 July 2025
  • The European Union has spent millions to help secure the return of wolf populations that for generations were persecuted through hunting and poison baits.
    Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Like so many of the film’s details, this seemingly innocent game indicates that the young women realize there’s an element of seduction at play, with some more aware than others of the qualities (besides singing talent) that Mácha is looking for.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 July 2025
  • The camera, a fly, roves, ending up in corners, lodging itself amid scenes of card-playing, seductions, wisecracking, and listlessness.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • But what really seduced me was the transgressive idea of imagining who else lives inside each of us.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 19 June 2025
  • Teenagers and their parents can be easily seduced, so Underwood is respected for his role in keeping those players at Thorp Arch.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Companies can offer discounts or incentives to customers to try to entice them to buy trips or vacations.
    Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
  • The bill eliminates critical renewable energy incentives, redirects funding toward fossil fuels and nuclear power, and dismantles key progressive priorities of the Biden administration.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • According to the most recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), sentiment among U.S. homebuilders is now at its lowest level since 2022, as many are forced to cut prices and offer incentives to entice reluctant buyers.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Consider homing in on messaging to entice potential guests at a state level, and including campaign variety that appeals to neighboring regions.
    Adam Deflorian, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • In Kansas City, the brand-new Museum of BBQ showcases how this quintessential American cuisine is made. Road Cruise Take a road cruise along a captivating northeast loop that’s filled with urban attractions, rugged coasts and gorgeous mountains.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The re-imagined attraction, sponsored by General Motors, closed in June 2024 for an extensive overhaul and will reopen to the guests on July 22.
    Joe Burbank, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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