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allure

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word allure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allure are attract, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When might attract be a better fit than allure?

Although the words attract and allure have much in common, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of allure?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

When can enchant be used instead of allure?

While in some cases nearly identical to allure, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When would fascinate be a good substitute for allure?

While the synonyms fascinate and allure are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

Examples 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 allure
Noun
The allure of selling to a club the size of United could appeal, given Lecce’s excellent record at finding new players and turning a profit. Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 The dollar continued its long-running rise, as the expectation of higher interest rates in the United States maintained its allure for investors around the world, even as yields in other bond markets lurched higher. Joe Rennison, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
In a directorial career defined by alluring strangeness, Guy Maddin’s new comedy is radical for being almost … normal. Marcela Valdes Nicholas Confessore Mark Binelli Lulu Garcia-Navarro Kwame Anthony Appiah Kwame Anthony Appiah Gabrielle Schwarz Yotam Ottolenghi Ross Barkan John Hodgman, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2024 And who's best to help teach her the art of alluring a man than Mr Collin Bridgerton himself? Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 11 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allure 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • As far as the lofty cost of PTA, the comp that justifies the spend boils down to the marquee appeal of DiCaprio.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Any appeal is expected to be rejected by the court.
    Bruno Nota, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As Will periodically rode by on a Segway to monitor his work—Segways were for closers on Seal Team Six—Colvin flailed in his efforts to charm the residents of St. Cloud.
    Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025
  • After being charmed by the Janson family's rural lifestyle, Green later returned to the small Ohio town with his co-writer and a once-and-lifetime opportunity.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The tax season hadn't even officially started in late December, but the TV ads already began tempting taxpayers with a free pitch to use the TurboTax app.
    Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Self has always done best turning four-stars into five-stars through development, but it’s been tempting the last two years to try to plug-and-play through the portal.
    CJ Moore, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Tissot was particularly fascinated by the mores and materialism of high society.
    Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Drummer Wilson was reportedly fascinated by Manson and his followers as the two struck up a friendship in 1968.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Loyalty plans at chains from AMC (Stubs) to Angelika are helping to lure moviegoers.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
  • And many grocers sell eggs below cost to lure customers to their stores.
    Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Conspiracy Theories Surrounding The JFK Files Kennedy's assassination and the government's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing him are the subject of enduring fascination among journalists, politicians and members of the public.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • At the heart of Aamir’s delicate porcelain sculptures lies a fascination with how nature constructs something atom by atom or cell by cell.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With 18 seasons of NFL head coaching experience, a Super Bowl in 2013 with Seattle and a college football national championship in 2004 with USC, the winning pedigree could entice the front office to bring him in.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The nation’s flight and digital connectivity, coupled with its safe and attractive investment climate, is enticing a growing number of international investors to establish homes on the islands.
    Panorama Media Ltd., Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Eating and Drinking Make sure to carve out time for the gym because the property's dining venues seduce not just with food quality but also with outstanding design.
    Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The Medusa logo was chosen as a symbol of captivating beauty, seducing all those who behold it.
    Mattia Dognini, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near allure

Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

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