BEGUILE Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'beguile' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beguile are deceive , delude , and mislead . While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. // was beguiled by false promises

Q: When is 'deceive' a more appropriate choice than 'beguile'?

While the synonyms deceive and beguile are close in meaning, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness. // tried to deceive me about the cost

Q: When would 'delude' be a good substitute for 'beguile'?

The meanings of delude and beguile largely overlap; however, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth. // we were deluded into thinking we were safe

Q: In what contexts can 'mislead' take the place of 'beguile'?

The words mislead and beguile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional. // I was misled by the confusing sign

beguile

verb

bi-ˈgī(-ə)l

Definition of beguile next

as in to fascinate

to attract or delight as if by magic the magician effortlessly beguiled and amazed the children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue beguiled her into believing that yet another worthless item would enhance her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage was beguiled by the promise of easy money as a drug dealer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb beguile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beguile are deceive, delude, and mislead. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When is deceive a more appropriate choice than beguile?

While the synonyms deceive and beguile are close in meaning, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

When would delude be a good substitute for beguile?

The meanings of delude and beguile largely overlap; however, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

In what contexts can mislead take the place of beguile?

The words mislead and beguile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

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 beguile While the home’s dramatic views and monumental forms beguiled visitors, Keeler, who had lived there since its completion, especially liked details like the silky redwood surfaces. —

Sam Lubell, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 Moana 2's beguiling new villain shares a shadowy history with Maui The song comes near the climax of the sequel, as Moana reaches her lowest point, ready to give up on her attempts to reach the lost island of Motufetu and reconnect the people of Oceania. —

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2024 Mali is one of the world’s great musical cradles, and its sounds have been beguiling foreigners ever since the medieval explorer Ibn Battuta provided the only surviving eyewitness account of the empire. —

Eliot Stein, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024 Alta Langa exemplifies how the Piedmont continues to beguile the world in embedding layers of detail and intensity in its cuisine and wine. —

Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for beguile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguile

Verb

And that also fascinates me, how one piece of clothing can have that many different styles and expressions to it—the wash, the color, the shape, the length, the waist, low slung, high waist, straight leg, wide leg.

— Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2025
The British journalist and playwright Andrew Halliday was fascinated by these cards, especially one popular card that featured a lady and gentleman walking arm-in-arm up a pathway toward a church.

— Christopher Ferguson, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2025