beguiling 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈgī-liŋ How to pronounce beguiling (audio)
Definition of beguilingnext
1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a smart and beguiling child who can manipulate her parents with alarming ease

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2
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive the beguiling allure of a life of crime

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beguiling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of beguile
1
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic the magician effortlessly beguiled and amazed the children

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2
as in deceiving
to cause to believe what is untrue beguiled her into believing that yet another worthless item would enhance her life

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3
as in tempting
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage was beguiled by the promise of easy money as a drug dealer

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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 beguiling
Adjective
These include an always-performing, mercurial actress (Greta Lee, enjoying every minute of this meaty role) dedicated to the fine art of being considered beguiling. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 In Lili Horvát’s beguiling third feature, the sudden return of Sam’s missing wife, who has no memory of anything except her scientific research, gives their relationship another chance. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Approximately 170 miles north of downtown San Francisco, Fort Bragg is a remote coastal city in California, beloved for its native redwoods, beguiling bluffs and beaches, and overall sense of tranquility. — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026 The results of all those frames are beguiling slow-motion shots that show just how close riders’ body parts are to touching the pavement while leaning during turns. — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beguiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguiling
  1. cunning
  2. misleading
  3. fascinating
  4. deceiving
  5. tempting
  6. cute
  7. deceptive
  8. charming
Adjective
  • Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • The women, many of whom were first-time surrogates, say they were given misleading or incomplete information about the couple’s family situation and intentions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Low primary turnout can also lead to unexpected results – and these results can create misleading perceptions of the election.
    — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of misleading
Verb
  • The trailer promises fascinating new characters, like one man who lives on a sailboat for most of the year.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.
    — Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of fascinating
Verb
  • But 3-0 marks can be deceiving heading into a battle of unbeatens at home against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Boulder County accused the fossil fuel companies of deceiving the general public about the dangers of their oil and gas operations and the associated greenhouse gas emissions through their advertising and marketing.
    — Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of deceiving
Verb
  • The snacks spill from every aisle, tempting you with Ghost Pepper Potato Chips and two-bite cookies in plastic drums while you’re supposed to be finding the frozen broccoli.
    — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The moody Moon squares enthusiastic Jupiter early this morning, tempting us to spend too much, promise too much, or turn one feeling into a full production.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of tempting
Adjective
  • Instead of black tights, try cute little socks or colorful tights.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Solid prewar with 850 square feet of space, a windowed kitchen that’s renovated and kind of cute, a windowed bathroom with a good tub.
    — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • In past elections, deceptive political robocalls have resulted in significant fines associated with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the federal law at the center of the petition.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The film chronicled Gortner’s youth as a Pentecostal preacher in the American South and exposed the deceptive practices used to bilk believers out of their money.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Verb
  • As John and Gates are playing cards, with the con man still working on charming the agent, the first guard assigned outside in the hallway drops.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Plant flowering shrubs or vines that can trail over the top, charming the neighbors while screening the view at the same time.
    — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of charming

Browse Nearby Words

beguiles
beguiling
begun
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Cite this Entry

“Beguiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguiling. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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