seduce

verb

se·​duce si-ˈdüs 

-ˈdyüs

seduced; seducing

transitive verb

1

: to persuade to disobedience or disloyalty

2

: to lead astray usually by persuasion or false promises

3

: to carry out the physical seduction of : entice to sexual intercourse

4

: attract

seducer noun

Synonyms

• allure
• bait
• beguile
• betray
• decoy
• entice
• lead on
• lure
• solicit
• tempt

Choose the Right Synonym for seduce

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce 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

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

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

seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of seduce in a Sentence

He tried to seduce her.

She was seduced by an older man.

The other team seduced him with a better offer.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are smooth-talking Nazi officers whose charm masks their menace and a bombshell vixen expected to outsmart — and potentially seduce — the worst of them, the sadistic yet cunning Heinrich Luhr (Teuton action star Til Schweiger). —Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024

The captain is deeply dedicated to communism and his homeland but is easily seduced by American popular culture. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Yet, one by one, Superstar seduced them with this radical idea: that the DEA might bring about the largest narcotics eradication in history without firing a single bullet. —Patrick Winn, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024

Instead, the second-wittiest joke of Coup de Chance is Alain seducing Fanny in his struggling-artist garret. —Armond White, National Review, 5 Apr. 2024

Many young couples were seduced by the category’s accessible pricing, but widespread claims that lab diamonds are more eco-friendly and sustainable than mined stones also made an impact. —Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024

In the entrancing but unsettling paradise of the villa—with its marble floors and grand staircases, shoddy electricity, and plentiful vats of wine—one of her father’s middle-aged friends began trying to seduce her. —Leslie Jamison, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

Editors’ Picks Why did these frightening stories seduce me? —Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

In diplomacy, food is deployed to seduce and impress (witness the French state dinner for King Charles last year), or to disappoint (the culinary highlight of a joint German-French cabinet offsite, hosted by Germany, was herring sandwiches). —Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin seducere, from Latin, to lead away, from se- apart + ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

seduce

verb

se·​duce si-ˈd(y)üs 

seduced; seducing

1

: to persuade to be disobedient or disloyal

2

: to persuade to do wrong

seduced into crime

3

: to persuade to have sexual intercourse especially for the first time

seducer noun

seduction

-ˈdək-shən

noun