entice

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

Synonyms

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

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, he was enticed to talk after being offered immunity from prosecution. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025

The nation’s flight and digital connectivity, coupled with its safe and attractive investment climate, is enticing a growing number of international investors to establish homes on the islands. —Panorama Media Ltd., Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

With 18 seasons of NFL head coaching experience, a Super Bowl in 2013 with Seattle and a college football national championship in 2004 with USC, the winning pedigree could entice the front office to bring him in. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025

As the graphic below shows, Kubo will keep his width, enticing the opposition full-back towards him — hugging the touchline before bursting into life and often driving inside to find a team-mate at the back post. —Mark Carey, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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