inveigle

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inveigle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inveigle are decoy, entice, lure, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

When is it sensible to use decoy instead of inveigle?

While in some cases nearly identical to inveigle, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

When might entice be a better fit than inveigle?

Although the words entice and inveigle have much in common, entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When could lure be used to replace inveigle?

The words lure and inveigle can be used in similar contexts, but lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

When is seduce a more appropriate choice than inveigle?

While the synonyms seduce and inveigle are close in meaning, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

In what contexts can tempt take the place of inveigle?

The meanings of tempt and inveigle largely overlap; however, 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

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 inveigle On hand for the séance is a thoroughly skeptical Poirot, inveigled to attend by a mystery-novelist friend, Ariadne Oliver. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023 Norman Mailer tried to inveigle his dinner guests into an orgy, and not long after wrote a cruel letter to Styron, breaking off their friendship. Marion Winik, Washington Post, 15 June 2023 At a ball where Byron was surrounded by a flock of ladies, Lamb inveigled the hostess to introduce her, and, having looked earnestly, wordlessly, into the poet’s face, Lamb immediately turned on her heel. Clare McHugh, Washington Post, 28 May 2023 Another threat that is likely to inveigle itself into the Web3 domain is phishing. Andrew Newman, Forbes, 4 May 2022 All of those thinly veiled efforts to inveigle an answer are met with a stock response. New York Times, 26 Nov. 2021 To reach Peru, Dr. Koepcke had to first get to a port and inveigle his way onto a trans-Atlantic freighter. New York Times, 18 June 2021 The two cell-surface proteins that SARS-CoV-2 uses to make contact with its target cells and inveigle its way into them would fit into this category. The Economist, 20 Aug. 2020 And, finally, he is lost at the very end of the world when he is sent on to Edinburgh, to inveigle his way into the affections of the Scottish King James VI, poised to become the English King James I upon Elizabeth’s death. Dominic Dromgoole, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inveigle
Verb
  • The two-day violence was a major setback in Damascus’ efforts to improve its image and persuade Europe and the United States to lift economic sanctions after over a decade of conflict.
    Omar Albam and Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Grant said despite the financial and efficiency gains AI can offer organizations, persuading leadership to spend major dollars on such initiatives can still prove trying.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Instinct says to seduce with a decadent chocolate treat, but sadly, my Valentine for the past 20 years isn’t the biggest chocolate lover.
    Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Raúl Castillo plays against type and makes for a menacing, unstoppable presence in a genre homage that’s yell-at-the-scream enjoyable and seduces with its terrific cinematography from Daniel Katz.
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Numerous observers believe the Bay Area could begin to see an economic lift from the rush into artificial intelligence, a fledgling field that has enticed investors and fueled startup activity.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • And there are plenty of people out there to entice, given that the majority of Americans these days aren’t regular moviegoers.
    William Earl, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In years past, I’ve been lured in by the promise of free filing from commercial tax-prep software, only to find out that my situation doesn’t qualify.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Jamie Carragher spoke about how he was lured out of international retirement specifically to work with Capello, having grown up admiring the defensive quality of his old Milan side.
    Michael Cox, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This often tempts developers to prototype in Python before implementing production-grade Rust solutions. 5.
    Amandeep Midha, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Just be sure they're not too tempted to eat only gummy worms for breakfast!
    Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Based on the Lee Child novels and developed by Nick Santora, Reacher is the kind of series that exemplifies the sleight of hand the TV medium does best, beguiling with one set of beckoning fingers while smuggling complex propaganda with the other.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
  • One is a siren, the human-like creature with an enchanting voice that beguiled sailors to their watery death.
    Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The winner of the $1.2-billion lottery jackpot — a player who beat the odds by matching all six numbers drawn in the December Mega Millions — was named on Monday.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Coco Bongo nightclub draws in tourists JusCollege, the group Musca purchased his all-inclusive package from, and Riu Republica did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
    Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inveigle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveigle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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