1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a smart and beguiling child who can manipulate her parents with alarming ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
the beguiling allure of a life of crime
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1
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic
the magician effortlessly beguiled and amazed the children
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2
as in deceiving
to cause to believe what is untrue
beguiled her into believing that yet another worthless item would enhance her life
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3
as in tempting
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
was beguiled by the promise of easy money as a drug dealer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beguiling
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
This was Arsenal’s existence in the late 2000s and early 2010s, building for a brighter future that never came, neglecting weaknesses in their team to add another beguiling young creative talent to their midfield or forward line.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The results of all those frames are beguiling slow-motion shots that show just how close riders’ body parts are to touching the pavement while leaning during turns.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beguiling
Adjective
Viewers will be pleased to find three seasons' worth of cases that are properly beguiling and sometimes a bit spooky.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
This was Arsenal’s existence in the late 2000s and early 2010s, building for a brighter future that never came, neglecting weaknesses in their team to add another beguiling young creative talent to their midfield or forward line.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Approximately 170 miles north of downtown San Francisco, Fort Bragg is a remote coastal city in California, beloved for its native redwoods, beguiling bluffs and beaches, and overall sense of tranquility.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The results of all those frames are beguiling slow-motion shots that show just how close riders’ body parts are to touching the pavement while leaning during turns.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beguiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguiling
Adjective
-
In state media comedy shows, jokes about Putin are told from time to time, but they are used to bolster his image as a powerful, cunning leader, and hold up Russia as a great country.—
Neringa Klumbytė,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These ambitious, cunning, and often amoral Cold War operatives were usually marginal or even inconsequential figures at home.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Winds high above Saturn were generating electrical currents, creating a misleading auroral signal that mimicked changes in rotation.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Parts of the ballot language backing a tax on second homes in San Diego are misleading and must be amended, a judge ruled Thursday.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The specifications on the Neo can be deceiving.—
Dwight Silverman,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Keep cool, as temperatures may be deceiving National Weather Service meteorologist Katherine Berislavich said overnight lows typically drop into the upper 60s this time of year but can rise quickly by morning.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Too rich for my blood, but tempting nonetheless.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Most emigrants left from Sicily, where enterprising local authorities have tried to redress the balance by tempting back Italian descendants from abroad.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Marvin’s a cute little mushroom living in a cozy home beneath a mighty cedar tree.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Dry off and look cute at the same time with Katydid beach or gym towels.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Also, offering free samples is deceptive marketing, due to evidence that 7-OH is addictive.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Set in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the grandiosity of MoMA is deceptive.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If your Valentine loves sliders, celebrate by charming your sweetie at the burger joint known for its tiny burgers.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
That group of Democrats sees Mamdani as having scored a political victory by charming the president.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beguiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguiling. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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