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
  • To accomplish that, the farmers had to persuade their clients to embrace a new aesthetic: less polished and more primal, twining and frondy, founded on blossoms that might be too lush and soft to endure weeks of refrigerated storage but could be guaranteed to look and smell like nothing else.
    Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2025
  • McCafferty wasn’t persuaded by the state’s arguments, which concerned player safety and integrity of the sport.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Cruz, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' (2009) Woody Allen's romantic comedy stars Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson as friends who travel to Spain and are seduced by a local painter (Javier Bardem).
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Cookbook authors suggested preparing French food at home to seduce a lover.
    Rachel Hope Cleves / Made by History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Trying to keep up with breakneck advances in medical technology and the demands of a public troubled by additives like food dyes, the agency enticed scores of midcareer specialists with remote roles and the chance to make a difference in their fields.
    Christina Jewett, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The Libra moon entices you to entertain fresh options.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Epstein, a billionaire, had legitimate business and social meetings on the island that were unrelated to his attempts to lure underage girls.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
  • They were formally indicted last year, accused of being part of a criminal organization that exploited women after luring them to Romania.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In my interpretation, I am tempted to see a lesson in holding on to things more tightly, in keeping better track, in cherishing harder.
    Melissa Kirsch, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Light wood beams and moldings, thick rugs underfoot, and minimalist furnishings tempt even the most dedicated skiers to stay indoors.
    Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The expression within some of those moments — the beguiling run through Shakhtar Donetsk, the assist for Jamal Musiala at Werder Bremen, the gorgeous free kick against Bochum down in the Ruhr — describe a player comfortable with the burden of being a Bayern player in the way few are.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
  • This schism becomes her barrier to happiness, discounting and dismissing the clearly beguiling Sam, a handsome charmer with a twinkle in his eye.
    Jason Bailey, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But despite the cost, the new budget smartphone could draw in more consumers, mostly because Apple is seemingly following a successful strategy from roughly seven years ago with the iPhone XR.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
  • So, instead, Clinton watches Nazareth stroke a shot into the top right corner and ultimately earn Portugal a 1-1 draw in Friday’s opening Nations League match against England with 15 minutes of regular time remaining.
    Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inveigle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveigle. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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