LURE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'lure' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lure are decoy , entice , inveigle , seduce , and tempt . While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving. // lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

Q: When might 'decoy' be a better fit than 'lure'?

In some situations, the words decoy and lure are roughly equivalent. However, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice. // attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

Q: When is 'entice' a more appropriate choice than 'lure'?

The synonyms entice and lure are sometimes interchangeable, but entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means. // advertising designed to entice new customers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'inveigle' instead of 'lure'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lure , inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering. // fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

Q: Where would 'seduce' be a reasonable alternative to 'lure'?

Although the words seduce and lure have much in common, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises. // seduced by assurances of assistance

Q: When would 'tempt' be a good substitute for 'lure'?

The words tempt and lure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

lure 1 of 2

verb

Definition of lure next

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage the hunter lured the lion into the open with the antelope carcass

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lure

2 of 2

noun

ˈlu̇r

as in temptation

something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain the promise of easy money is always the lure for some people to play the lottery good schools are a lure for prospective home buyers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bait

something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap the fish simply didn't seem to like the lure I was using, so I didn't catch a thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in seduction

the act or pressure of giving in to a desire especially when ill-advised the lure of the video game was distracting me from my studies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lure differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lure are decoy, entice, inveigle, seduce, and tempt. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

When might decoy be a better fit than lure?

In some situations, the words decoy and lure are roughly equivalent. However, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

When is entice a more appropriate choice than lure?

The synonyms entice and lure are sometimes interchangeable, but entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

When is it sensible to use inveigle instead of lure?

While in some cases nearly identical to lure, inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

Where would seduce be a reasonable alternative to lure?

Although the words seduce and lure have much in common, seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

When would tempt be a good substitute for lure?

The words tempt and lure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Examples 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 lure

Verb

Love and happiness Low overheads and tax has helped Albanian clinics lure customers with lower prices. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 31 Oct. 2024 Bioluminescence is typically used to warn or evade predators, to lure or detect prey, and for communication between members of the same species. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Noun

The lure of the open road is a quintessentially American draw. —

Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024 Getty Images The seductive lure of cars that drive themselves has led to an awful lot of hype over the past decade. —

Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure

Verb

All of this excitement may tempt you to place some bets on what will happen — but is that actually a good idea?

Becca Stanek, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Ammon did appear tempted to talk the walk in Portland, to become the Mormon cowboy philosopher king wandering a degenerate realm of an ailing Republic, but by now time was in extremely short supply.

Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024