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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 the Lady Dior line continues with the recent ninth edition of the Dior Lady Art Project, where artists crafted iterations that explored nature, ancestral traditions and sacred symbols — bringing storytelling and design together. Alfredo Mineo, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024 But the film’s portrayal of the allure and damage wrought when someone wields power over you has echoes in Ferreira’s career. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
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 The Texas Rangers are known for serving fans alluring food at Globe Life Field games and that will be no different for the upcoming Major League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for allure 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • Surely, the government could force insurers to facilitate the process and resolve appeals promptly.
    John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Per the outlet, the ruling was later reversed by a district court of appeal, on the basis that a tax rebate in a 1996 Disney expansion deal passed by the Anaheim City Council.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Writer-director Margolin based the character on his real grandmother, Thelma Post, and the low-budget indie charmed the festival circuit before grossing over $12 million at the box office.
    Jenelle Riley, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Disney’s surfer girl sequel continues to charm with a current international weekend of $57.2M from 52 offshore markets (-44%).
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Heller calibrated simplified acting games for the kids but also used the kind of reverse psychology anybody can tempt a toddler with.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
  • We were tempted to eat all our meals there because everything was so good.
    Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Fishing for microbes For years, Irene Salinas has been fascinated by a simple physiological fact: The distance between the nose and the brain is quite small.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Gates said he was fascinated by her retelling of the upheaval during the 1960s, all seen through her own eyes as the wife of an aide to both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson during their respective time in the Oval Office.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • West’s story is commonplace in the predatory world of post-graduate football, where thousands of young men have been lured by the promise of achieving their athletic aspirations, a USA TODAY investigation found.
    Kenny Jacoby, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Adding satellite service could help Apple lure some Garmin inReach fans who might want to have one less thing to carry even if the inReach’s hundreds of hours of battery life still win out for extended hikes.
    Wes Davis, The Verge, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Beginning with the young Erik Weisz’s (Houdini’s real name) journey to fame and long lasting fascination, the project from The Color Purple and Dopesick producers is set to be written by John Wick Chapter 4 and The Three Musketeers scribes Michael Finch and Alex Litvak.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Carnegie Mellon University English professor Kathy M. Newman said their popularity may just be a part of America’s longtime fascination with unique religious or cultural groups.
    Alicia Park, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Email newsletters are admittedly pretty common, but those that entice audiences to routinely click through and engage with their content are a rare breed.
    Jodi Amendola, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • China extends visa-free transit policy China has tripled the amount of time visitors can spend in the country without a visa in yet another move to entice more foreign tourists.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The film was way ahead of its time with Fox as a demon possessed it girl, seducing and devouring mainly men.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • In one scene, Naomi seduces Jordan by walking into the room wearing nothing but stockings and shoes.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near allure

Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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