entice

verb

in-ˈtīs How to pronounce entice (audio)
Definition of enticenext
as in to tempt
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage every commercial seemed to be for some tempting snack specifically designed to entice me from my diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Joe Raedle | Getty Images Mortgage demand from homebuyers rose for the second straight week, suggesting that potential buyers are now more enticed by the increasing supply of houses for sale than they are dissuaded by recent economic uncertainty and concern over tariffs. —Diana Olick, CNBC, 14 May 2025 Geffrard’s focus was on attracting agricultural laborers – not the kind of work the Martinez family would likely be enticed to take on. —Chelsea Stieber, The Conversation, 14 May 2025 At the time, the company was looking into a method of enticing the fish to enter the setup voluntarily. —New Atlas, 12 May 2025 Will the new level of EV functionality even entice GM to end the ban of CarPlay in electrics? —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for entice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entice
  1. tempt
  2. lure
  3. seduce
  4. persuade
Verb
  • There was interest from the Saudi Pro League last summer, and clubs may be tempted to try again.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Setbacks may tempt you to stray from your vision, but staying true to yourself attracts the right clients, collaborators and opportunities.
    — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
Definition of tempt
Verb
  • Brooks, in her movies, lures men to their doom—or taunts men with her availability, only to refuse them.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
  • He was named head coach of the Red Wings in May 2015 after the Toronto Maple Leafs lured Babcock out of Detroit with an eight-year, $50 million deal, the NHL’s richest contract for a coach at the time.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Definition of lure
Verb
  • Going even further, its materiality, terra-cotta, and its iconography, the corazón, seduce us to discover an even more seductive identity, a cultural and historical foundation, mexicanidad.
    — Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • But prosecutors warned observers not to be seduced by soft appearances.
    — Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Definition of seduce
Verb
  • For fifteen years, the Patriotic Millionaires have waged an earnest battle to persuade wealthy people to lobby for higher taxes on themselves.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • The filmmakers told me that Spiegelman’s free-speech run-in with the county school board was instrumental in persuading WNET to back Disaster Is My Muse.
    — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Definition of persuade

Browse Nearby Words

enthusing
entice
enticed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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