ALLURE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'allure' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allure are attract , captivate , charm , enchant , and fascinate . While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive. // an alluring smile

Q: When might 'attract' be a better fit than 'allure'?

Although the words attract and allure have much in common, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another. // students attracted by the school's locale

Q: How are the words 'charm' and 'captivate' related as synonyms of 'allure'?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate , suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration. // charmed by their hospitality // her performances captivated audiences

Q: When can 'enchant' be used instead of 'allure'?

While in some cases nearly identical to allure , enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject. // hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

Q: When would 'fascinate' be a good substitute for 'allure'?

While the synonyms fascinate and allure are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist. // a story that continues to fascinate children

allure 1 of 2

noun

Definition of allure next

as in appeal

the power of irresistible attraction the nostalgic allure of America's Wild West still attracts vacationers to ghost towns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

allure

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈlu̇r

as in to charm

to attract or delight as if by magic was so allured by his sister's college roommate that before long he was asking her for a date

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage allured by the promise of big bucks, he decided to have a go at a job on the trading floor of the stock market

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word allure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allure are attract, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When might attract be a better fit than allure?

Although the words attract and allure have much in common, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of allure?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality

her performances captivated audiences

When can enchant be used instead of allure?

While in some cases nearly identical to allure, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When would fascinate be a good substitute for allure?

While the synonyms fascinate and allure are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of allure

Noun

But for some customers, the chain’s allure has been fading. —

Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025 That has complicated the policy decisions for central banks in Asia, including the RBI, as boosting growth by loosening policy would mean widening the rate differentials and reducing the allure of its investment assets. —

Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025

Verb

In a directorial career defined by alluring strangeness, Guy Maddin’s new comedy is radical for being almost … normal. —

Marcela Valdes Nicholas Confessore Mark Binelli Lulu Garcia-Navarro Kwame Anthony Appiah Kwame Anthony Appiah Gabrielle Schwarz Yotam Ottolenghi Ross Barkan John Hodgman, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2024 And who's best to help teach her the art of alluring a man than Mr Collin Bridgerton himself? —

Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 11 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure

Noun

With the increasing diversity and international appeal of the Academy’s voting body, von Horn, like other directors whose film travel the world, tuned into his film’s universal appeal across language barriers.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Due process still takes place, but there will be a lot less appeals issues.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2025