seduce

verb

se·​duce si-ˈdüs 

-ˈdyüs

seduced; seducing

transitive verb

1

: to persuade to disobedience or disloyalty

2

: to lead astray usually by persuasion or false promises

3

: to carry out the physical seduction of : entice to sexual intercourse

4

: attract

seducer noun

Synonyms

• allure
• bait
• beguile
• betray
• decoy
• entice
• lead on
• lure
• solicit
• tempt

Choose the Right Synonym for seduce

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 seduce in a Sentence

He tried to seduce her.

She was seduced by an older man.

The other team seduced him with a better offer.

Recent Examples on the Web

After Shaw takes a leap of faith and seduces Rule, the two attempt to navigate a romantic relationship, with significant drama along the way. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

While the literary legacy of Parthenope had the character drowning herself after her songs failed to seduce Odysseus, Sorrentino’s version centers on a wealthy woman who slowly drives her family insane by her beauty. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024

Seeing through their age’s markers of value was no barrier to being seduced. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024

This year’s offerings include Hot Frosty, a movie about a snowman who comes to life to seduce a widow, and Lindsay Lohan’s latest, Our Little Secret, about exes who unintentionally converge at Christmas and must grapple, profoundly, with their unfinished business. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin seducere, from Latin, to lead away, from se- apart + ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

seduce

verb

se·​duce si-ˈd(y)üs 

seduced; seducing

1

: to persuade to be disobedient or disloyal

2

: to persuade to do wrong

seduced into crime

3

: to persuade to have sexual intercourse especially for the first time

seducer noun

seduction

-ˈdək-shən

noun