as in tempts
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
1
as in temptations
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 baits
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 seductions
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lures
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Jimenez’s movement lures Matthijs de Ligt up the pitch, stretching the right side of United’s defence, with Leny Yoro already in an advanced position to defend Iwobi.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The region’s invigorating multiculturalism also lures visitors with calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
Garbage lures insects, which in turn lure spiders.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025
Max lures Holly to meet her within the dreamworld-like part of the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
The shape-shifting entity lures the kiddos into the sewers before revealing itself in the freakier form of Pennywise, officially welcoming Skarsgård back into the fold.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Then there’s a mysterious stranger, a fresh-faced young woman (a rather haunting Isla Johnston) who lures him into her trap with true temptation but soon morphs into her actual identity as none other than the devil, albeit one with ruby red lips.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
The Modern’s intimate bar and restaurant lures both locals and travelers with high-quality cocktails and food.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
The film frankly depicts the extreme sub-dom relationship that Erika lures Elliot into, peppered with Araki’s trademark playful-surrealism while committed to a certain, refreshing explicitness.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Jimenez’s movement lures Matthijs de Ligt up the pitch, stretching the right side of United’s defence, with Leny Yoro already in an advanced position to defend Iwobi.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The region’s invigorating multiculturalism also lures visitors with calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
Garbage lures insects, which in turn lure spiders.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025
Max lures Holly to meet her within the dreamworld-like part of the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
The shape-shifting entity lures the kiddos into the sewers before revealing itself in the freakier form of Pennywise, officially welcoming Skarsgård back into the fold.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Then there’s a mysterious stranger, a fresh-faced young woman (a rather haunting Isla Johnston) who lures him into her trap with true temptation but soon morphs into her actual identity as none other than the devil, albeit one with ruby red lips.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
The Modern’s intimate bar and restaurant lures both locals and travelers with high-quality cocktails and food.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lures
Verb
-
An untrustworthy future tempts us to either disengage, retreat into cynicism, or live angry.—
Phillip Halpern,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
-
In Indiana, Paoli Peaks features the Arctic Blast Tubing Park, and Perfect North Slopes tempts with 25 tubing lanes (as well as skiing and snowboarding).—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This has created new temptations, particularly for the young people now being coaxed into putting their weekly allowance toward randomized Call of Duty loot boxes and Polymarket wagers.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Living across the street from school led to fewer temptations to skip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Gel baits have quicker results than bait stations, meanwhile bait stations are perfect for ongoing maintenance after the use of gel baits.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Nov. 2025
-
New for 2025 at Bass Pro Shops is BioBait—lures made from a revolutionary formula that breaks down faster than traditional plastic baits.—
Ally Jaksen,
Outside,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The seductions are not just for ratings.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The latest changes include financial incentives for appropriate downtown commercial-to-residential conversion projects, including a 100% waiver of building and construction taxes and a 50% reduction of park impact fees for the first 500 units, as the office market continues to struggle.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
It was unlocked because complexity was removed, incentives were aligned, and capital was forced to reprice assets independently.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Automated e-filing and telephone calls still went through; however, all in-person appointments were canceled, walk-in taxpayer assistance centers were closed, audits, applications, paper processing and appeals were halted or slowed and refunds were delayed.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Even though the settlement is approved, appeals may still follow.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While Summer most likely has tonnes of toys and a dog bed, there’s something about cardboard boxes that entices pets.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lures. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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