inveigle

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inveigle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inveigle are decoy, entice, lure, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

When is it sensible to use decoy instead of inveigle?

While in some cases nearly identical to inveigle, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

When might entice be a better fit than inveigle?

Although the words entice and inveigle have much in common, entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When could lure be used to replace inveigle?

The words lure and inveigle can be used in similar contexts, but lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

When is seduce a more appropriate choice than inveigle?

While the synonyms seduce and inveigle are close in meaning, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

In what contexts can tempt take the place of inveigle?

The meanings of tempt and inveigle largely overlap; 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 inveigle On hand for the séance is a thoroughly skeptical Poirot, inveigled to attend by a mystery-novelist friend, Ariadne Oliver. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023 Norman Mailer tried to inveigle his dinner guests into an orgy, and not long after wrote a cruel letter to Styron, breaking off their friendship. Marion Winik, Washington Post, 15 June 2023 At a ball where Byron was surrounded by a flock of ladies, Lamb inveigled the hostess to introduce her, and, having looked earnestly, wordlessly, into the poet’s face, Lamb immediately turned on her heel. Clare McHugh, Washington Post, 28 May 2023 Another threat that is likely to inveigle itself into the Web3 domain is phishing. Andrew Newman, Forbes, 4 May 2022 All of those thinly veiled efforts to inveigle an answer are met with a stock response. New York Times, 26 Nov. 2021 To reach Peru, Dr. Koepcke had to first get to a port and inveigle his way onto a trans-Atlantic freighter. New York Times, 18 June 2021 The two cell-surface proteins that SARS-CoV-2 uses to make contact with its target cells and inveigle its way into them would fit into this category. The Economist, 20 Aug. 2020 And, finally, he is lost at the very end of the world when he is sent on to Edinburgh, to inveigle his way into the affections of the Scottish King James VI, poised to become the English King James I upon Elizabeth’s death. Dominic Dromgoole, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inveigle
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
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
  • Young could use a co-star and the Hawks have some pieces that could entice opposing teams.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
  • But with the holiday now over, retailers are beginning to roll out their post-Christmas sales, aiming to entice shoppers to spend more.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 26 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
  • 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
  • Many a man was beguiled by those eyes, searching for his own reflection in their depths.
    Negar Azimi, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Gallagher, who won a Tony for his performance in Mayer’s Spring Awakening, brings a smarmy, beguiling nature to his unpredictable seafaring stranger.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • What time is the next Mega Millions drawing in Arizona? Mega Millions drawings are at 11 p.m. Eastern or 9 p.m. Arizona time.
    Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Plus, the project’s leading ladies are already drawing in major awards recognition.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Inveigle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveigle. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

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