entice

1 of 2

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs 

en-

enticed; enticing

transitive verb

: to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire : tempt

enticement

in-ˈtī-smənt 

en-

noun

enticement

2 of 2

noun

en·​tice·​ment -mənt 

plural -s

1

obsolete : incitement

2

: the act of enticing

3

: something that entices : a means or method of enticing

Synonyms of entice

Verb

• tempt
• lure
• seduce
• persuade

Choose the Right Synonym for entice

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from one's true course.

lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

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 implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of entice in a Sentence

Verb

every commercial seemed to be for some tempting snack specifically designed to entice me from my diet

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Seen from the other side of the deal, that means that bond issuers must pay higher yields, or rates, for investors to be enticed to buy. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres. —Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026

Dakota Green of Horseshoe Bend was arrested Saturday on suspicion of felony enticing children through the internet, video image or other communication device, according to the Boise County Sheriff’s Office. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2026

Many locals are embracing the festive atmosphere, while others are already looking for ways to entice Scottish visitors back to Boston even after the World Cup ends. —Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French enticer, from Vulgar Latin *intitiare, from Latin in- + titio firebrand

Noun

Middle English, from Old French, from enticier + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for entice

• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice

Kids Definition

entice

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs 

enticed; enticing

: to attract by arousing hope or desire : tempt

enticement

-mənt 

noun

enticingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb