SEDUCE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of seduce are decoy , entice , inveigle , lure , and tempt . While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises. // seduced by assurances of assistance

Q: In what contexts can 'decoy' take the place of 'seduce'?

While in some cases nearly identical to seduce , decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice. // attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

Q: When would 'entice' be a good substitute for 'seduce'?

The synonyms entice and seduce are sometimes interchangeable, but entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means. // advertising designed to entice new customers

Q: When could 'inveigle' be used to replace 'seduce'?

While the synonyms inveigle and seduce are close in meaning, inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering. // fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lure' instead of 'seduce'?

The words lure and seduce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving. // lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

Q: Where would 'tempt' be a reasonable alternative to 'seduce'?

In some situations, the words tempt and seduce 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

seduce

verb

si-ˈdüs

Definition of seduce next

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage I wasn't going to buy the car, but was seduced by the low-interest payment plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb seduce differ from other similar words?

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

seduced by assurances of assistance

In what contexts can decoy take the place of seduce?

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

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

When would entice be a good substitute for seduce?

The synonyms entice and seduce are sometimes interchangeable, but entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When could inveigle be used to replace seduce?

While the synonyms inveigle and seduce are close in meaning, inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

When is it sensible to use lure instead of seduce?

The words lure and seduce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

Where would tempt be a reasonable alternative to seduce?

In some situations, the words tempt and seduce 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 seduce We, like Eric Bogosian’s raggedy journalist Daniel Molloy, must be seduced by Louis’s tale. —

Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024 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 Ilana attempts to seduce him, but Flag, with some difficulty, rejects her and orders G.I. to guard her room. —

Hayden Mears, TVLine, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for seduce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for seduce

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
As customers have ploughed their money into short-term deposits, with banks tempted by interest rates above the benchmark rate, speculation has mounted that the central bank might freeze deposits to curb an emerging savings bubble.

Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025