as in tempts
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
the hunter lured the lion into the open with the antelope carcass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in temptations
something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain
the promise of easy money is always the lure for some people to play the lottery good schools are a lure for prospective home buyers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in baits
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap
the fish simply didn't seem to like the lure I was using, so I didn't catch a thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seductions
the act or pressure of giving in to a desire especially when ill-advised
the lure of the video game was distracting me from my studies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lures
Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
The film frankly depicts the extreme sub-dom relationship that Erika lures Elliot into, peppered with Araki’s trademark playful-surrealism while committed to a certain, refreshing explicitness.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Jimenez’s movement lures Matthijs de Ligt up the pitch, stretching the right side of United’s defence, with Leny Yoro already in an advanced position to defend Iwobi.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Garbage lures insects, which in turn lure spiders.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025
Max lures Holly to meet her within the dreamworld-like part of the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
The shape-shifting entity lures the kiddos into the sewers before revealing itself in the freakier form of Pennywise, officially welcoming Skarsgård back into the fold.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Then there’s a mysterious stranger, a fresh-faced young woman (a rather haunting Isla Johnston) who lures him into her trap with true temptation but soon morphs into her actual identity as none other than the devil, albeit one with ruby red lips.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
The Modern’s intimate bar and restaurant lures both locals and travelers with high-quality cocktails and food.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community.
—Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
The film frankly depicts the extreme sub-dom relationship that Erika lures Elliot into, peppered with Araki’s trademark playful-surrealism while committed to a certain, refreshing explicitness.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Jimenez’s movement lures Matthijs de Ligt up the pitch, stretching the right side of United’s defence, with Leny Yoro already in an advanced position to defend Iwobi.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Garbage lures insects, which in turn lure spiders.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025
Max lures Holly to meet her within the dreamworld-like part of the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
The shape-shifting entity lures the kiddos into the sewers before revealing itself in the freakier form of Pennywise, officially welcoming Skarsgård back into the fold.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Then there’s a mysterious stranger, a fresh-faced young woman (a rather haunting Isla Johnston) who lures him into her trap with true temptation but soon morphs into her actual identity as none other than the devil, albeit one with ruby red lips.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
The Modern’s intimate bar and restaurant lures both locals and travelers with high-quality cocktails and food.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lures
Verb
-
An untrustworthy future tempts us to either disengage, retreat into cynicism, or live angry.—
Phillip Halpern,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
-
In Indiana, Paoli Peaks features the Arctic Blast Tubing Park, and Perfect North Slopes tempts with 25 tubing lanes (as well as skiing and snowboarding).—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In environments where young people have few chances to recover from mistakes, those mistakes can be much more damaging, and the temptations can feel more overwhelming.—
Mark Mitchell,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This has created new temptations, particularly for the young people now being coaxed into putting their weekly allowance toward randomized Call of Duty loot boxes and Polymarket wagers.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Start by setting out baits labeled for carpenter ants (but keep them out of reach of kids and pets).—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Gel baits have quicker results than bait stations, meanwhile bait stations are perfect for ongoing maintenance after the use of gel baits.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But the seductions of ChatGPT are hard to resist, and Marsicano noted that the college has seen an increase in code violations due to AI.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The seductions are not just for ratings.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Typically, auto dealerships secure purchase orders from private or public fleet operators interested in buying their zero-emission vehicles at the lower rates facilitated by the state incentives.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Second, Connecticut should create incentives for insurance companies and financial services firms to partner with local training providers on apprenticeship and placement programs.—
Kevin J. Conlan,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Supreme Court has been receptive to Trump's appeals The court – which has a 6-3 conservative majority − has been overwhelmingly receptive to Trump’s appeals of challenges to his actions as president, often allowing controversial policies to move forward while they’re being litigated.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This travel style appeals to those who value relaxation above all else.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While Summer most likely has tonnes of toys and a dog bed, there’s something about cardboard boxes that entices pets.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lures. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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