seduce

verb

se·​duce si-ˈdüs How to pronounce seduce (audio)
-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
seducer noun
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
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.
Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, where two ruthless step-siblings will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy, including seducing the daughter of the vice-president of the United States. Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024 Police later learned that the prisoners had seduced the seamstress as a part of their escape plot. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 What is the role of synthetic panel interviewers so they are not seduced by form and fail to see the essence? Juan Isaza, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 The pair find themselves in trouble after a hazing incident goes wrong, and attempt to lie, deceive and seduce their way out of bother. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for seduce 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of seduce was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near seduce

Cite this Entry

“Seduce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seduce. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

seduce

verb
se·​duce si-ˈd(y)üs How to pronounce seduce (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on seduce

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