decoy 1 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌkȯi How to pronounce decoy (audio)
Definition of decoynext
as in bait
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap we set the decoy afloat in the marsh and from the blind waited for the ducks to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decoy

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈkȯi How to pronounce decoy (audio)
as in to lure
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decoy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decoy are entice, inveigle, lure, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

Where would entice be a reasonable alternative to decoy?

The meanings of entice and decoy largely overlap; however, entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When might inveigle be a better fit than decoy?

The words inveigle and decoy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

When would lure be a good substitute for decoy?

In some situations, the words lure and decoy are roughly equivalent. However, 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 decoy?

The words seduce and decoy can be used in similar contexts, but seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

When is tempt a more appropriate choice than decoy?

The synonyms tempt and decoy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 decoy
Noun
Thomas had placed a deer decoy near the road to lure in spotlighters, and his body cam footage shows Huffman slowing down, backing up, and then stopping his truck on the roadway to look at the decoy before driving on down the road. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026 Defensive platforms include four to six Mark 36 SRBOC chaff and decoy launchers, an AN/SLQ-25 torpedo decoy, AN/SLQ-49 chaff buoys, a Sea Gnat missile decoy, and an AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite. —Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
What these guys really care about is decoying ducks in and seeing the show. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025 Osit looks for answers in multiple places, interviewing law enforcement officials and district attorneys, academics, and former Perverted Justice decoys from the show. —Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decoy
  1. bait
  2. lure
  3. tempt
  4. seduce
  5. entice
  6. persuade
Noun
  • As federal agents try to scare and provoke, in a way that could easily undermine the cause, such training is essential to ensure peaceful protesters do not take the bait.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The dogfish ignored the electrical field and ate the bait anyway.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of bait
Verb
  • The agency allegedly used Bank of America accounts to lure young women with fake modeling offers, while financial records suggest the bank was aware of these suspicious connections, according to plaintiff’s claims.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • On Thursday, Trantalis said Tunnel Top Plaza was in dire of need of a shade structure to lure more people to the area.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of lure
Verb
  • Leave room in your suitcase or car trunk, you'll be tempted to load up on bulk spices, global snacks, and sweets from the bakery after visiting.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
  • With Venus reaching from your resourceful 2nd house to square Uranus in your playful 5th house, you may be tempted to challenge your budget.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of tempt
Verb
  • Pine seduced Roper away from Corky [Roper’s fixer, played by Tom Hollander, who was killed off in season one].
    — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of seduce
Verb
  • Eric Patrick, 31, pleaded guilty in an Orlando courtroom to attempting to entice a 15-year-old, whom Patrick and his husband, Richard Kowalczyk, met on Grindr, a dating app for gay men, according to Patrick’s plea agreement.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Part of what makes Joomra Pillow Slippers enticing is their waterproof design.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of entice
Verb
  • But multiple Democratic senators said that's not enough to persuade them to back off their demands.
    — Riley Beggin, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Renato Renner of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich is not persuaded that resolving the conflict between the Copenhagen and many-worlds interpretations solves all the problems.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of persuade

Browse Nearby Words

decoupling
decoy
decoyed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decoy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on decoy

Nglish: Translation of decoy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about decoy

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