INVEIGLE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

inveigle

verb

Definition of inveigle next

as in to persuade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Trump’s self-assuredness in his ability to persuade and coerce a new Axis of Evil is a major perceptional error.

— Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025
Just two Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — voted against advancing Hegseth’s nomination; Democrats are still seeking to persuade others to join them for the final vote, citing accusations about his conduct.

— Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025