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

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

When a brutal hazing incident threatens to shut down all fraternity and sorority operations on campus, these cousins hatch a plan for Lucien to seduce Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith), the daughter of the Vice President of the United States who's a student at the university. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Still, industry minds want to know: Will the company, like so many before it, suddenly get seduced into making bigger bets on the way to self-destruction? —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2024

This hilarious movie directed by Ken Marino follows Maximo (Eugenio Derbez), a man who has spent his entire adult life seducing wealthy older women to live a life of luxury. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 19 Oct. 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