Synonyms of seduce

seduce

verb

si-ˈdüs 

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage

I wasn't going to buy the car, but was seduced by the low-interest payment plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tempt
• lure
• persuade
• entice
• betray
• beguile
• allure
• bait
• decoy
• solicit
• lead on
• fascinate
• inveigle
• trap
• enchant
• ensnare
• entrap
• draw in
• rope (in)
• captivate
• bewitch
• charm
• enmesh
• snow
• snare
• magnetize
• catch
• mesh
• wile
• tangle
• immesh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warn
• alert
• ward (off)
• caution
• drive (away or off)
• forewarn
• turn away
• repulse

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb seduce differ from other similar words?

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

seduced by assurances of assistance

In what contexts can decoy take the place of seduce?

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

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

When would entice be a good substitute for seduce?

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

advertising designed to entice new customers

When could inveigle be used to replace seduce?

While the synonyms inveigle and seduce are close in meaning, inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

When is it sensible to use lure instead of seduce?

The words lure and seduce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

Where would tempt be a reasonable alternative to seduce?

In some situations, the words tempt and seduce are roughly equivalent. 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

Recent Examples of seduce

In the costume drama based on Guy de Maupassant’s 1885 novel of the same name, Pattinson portrayed an ambitious and amoral social striver, a former soldier who seeks to improve his fortunes by seducing the wives (played by Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas) of powerful men. —Kevin Cassidy, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025

His evolution from a homeless teen seducing girls on his friends’ couches into an international pop star with one foot in Hollywood and the other atop the Billboard charts has been a circuitous one filled with pitfalls — and some of the catchiest tunes of the century. —Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025

By the ’80s and ’90s, Atlas was seduced by another kind of dancing—the kind found in the New York nightclubs. —Beatrice Loayza, ARTnews.com, 6 Feb. 2025

Past rumbles have seen winners with more customary offerings awarded the coveted Broth Belt, but Red Panda’s body-laden spicy chicken katsu ramen seduced guests with its silkiness, including new fans who had never even heard of them before showing up at the competition. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025