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

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 entice Certainly, our assessment could be mistaken, and a potential takeover could enhance shareholder value and entice investors. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of helping Epstein entice and abuse young girls. Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 Astilbes offer unique flowers that entice pollinators to the garden and create texture and dimension in the garden. Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 July 2025 But there was always something about the city that enticed me. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for entice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entice
Verb
  • You might be tempted to jump on your soapbox and convince someone to agree with you.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
  • If these savings alone weren't enough to tempt you, then the fact that these drones are now at their lowest-ever prices might.
    Alexander Cox, Space.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • In a particularly harsh blow to Apple, Meta successfully managed to lure away the leader of the company’s AI division, Ruoming Pang, with a compensation package reportedly valued at more than $200 million.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Han alleges the woman lured 4-year-old Kyung-ha to a train station in Jecheon, roughly 40 miles from their home, and abandoned her.
    Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • After the show's season 27 premiere included a scene in which Trump, who was depicted twice with small genitals, attempted to seduce Satan in his bedroom at the White House, members of the president's team released a statement to EW criticizing South Park.
    EW.com, EW.com, 30 July 2025
  • Following a near two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the premiere episode shows a naked Trump trying to seduce Satan, and came a day after the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had reached a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, the victim is persuaded to contact an IT security representative, who, in fact, is part of the ransomware operation.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2025
  • During an interview with The Standard, Ozzy admitted that even though he was intoxicated during the violent incident, that didn't persuade him to stop drinking.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entice. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on entice

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