entice

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb entice differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of entice are decoy, inveigle, lure, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When is it sensible to use decoy instead of entice?

While the synonyms decoy and entice are close in meaning, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

Where would inveigle be a reasonable alternative to entice?

The words inveigle and entice can be used in similar contexts, but inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

In what contexts can lure take the place of entice?

Although the words lure and entice have much in common, lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

When could seduce be used to replace entice?

The meanings of seduce and entice largely overlap; however, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

When would tempt be a good substitute for entice?

In some situations, the words tempt and entice are roughly equivalent. However, 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

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 entice The 2021 has enticing aromas of cassis, cigar box, and raspberry confiture with elegant tannins and flavors of black raspberry, black plum, and powdered cocoa in the long, long finish. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024 Every year there is a silent game of chicken between retailers and consumers, in which retailers try to entice shoppers to come out early for bargains. Steve Liesman, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024 If there was any worry that What Had Happened Was… was going to be a Trojan horse of a title, enticing us with the promise of the whole story before baiting and switching us in favor of observational comedy about seatbelts, it’s dispelled instantly. Lucy Ford, TIME, 10 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 See all Example Sentences for entice 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entice
Verb
  • As budgets get tight, some executives are always tempted to cut back on marketing.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Here's how to keep wild turkeys away from your yard Other Animals While you may be tempted to blame other animals such as opossums or snakes, or even coyotes for making holes or burrows in your yard, these creatures are more likely to use existing animal holes for their dens.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Abu Dhabi is stepping up efforts to lure more film and TV shoots to the United Arab Emirates’ capital by enhancing its new rebate, which is now set to reach up to 50% of qualified below-the-line spend starting in January.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024
  • In the summer of 2024, New York Attorney General Letitia James warned about investment scams using deepfake videos of celebrities like Warren Buffett and Elon Musk to lure investors.
    Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Satan’s seduction of Eve had to define the very idea of what seduction was: an act of irresistible trickery on the part of the seducer; a moral and an intellectual failing on the part of the seduced.
    Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • James is on a mission to destroy his enemy Peter and decides seducing his 20-year-old daughter, Wendy, is his ticket to revenge.
    Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • He was released on bail in 2013 after his appellate lawyer, Hubert J. Santos, persuaded a judge during an extended habeas corpus trial that Skakel had been convicted because his trial lawyer, Mickey Sherman, presented the jury with an inexplicably deficient defense.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Perhaps Miller can be persuaded to consider a Furiosa spinoff prestige series for HBO, where the budget goes further and can tell a bigger story set in the aftermath of Fury Road.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near entice

Cite this Entry

“Entice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entice. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on entice

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