DECOYING Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

decoying

verb

present participle of decoy

as in tempting

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage tacky souvenir shops to which first-time tourists had been decoyed into spending their hard-earned money

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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 decoying Pigeon hunting in Argentina offers the opportunity for decoying birds and was the most fun of the species to hunt there, in my opinion. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decoying

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

Verb

Caruso has been charged with kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse inflicting mental injury.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
While luring the men into the chapel, Janet was fatally stabbed in the abdomen.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of luring

Verb

Adva Lavie, an OnlyFans model, already is facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County for allegedly seducing and stealing from rich men.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Still, with more than 40,000 industry jobs lost in the past few years, soundstages and vendor storefronts sitting empty, and lucrative overseas incentives seducing even more production away, things are bleak in town right now.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of seducing

Verb

Caruso has been charged with kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse inflicting mental injury.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
In essence, disruptor brands give athletes only-child treatment, which is enticing in a crowded market.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of enticing

Verb

RatHat relies heavily on persuading people to sideload malicious apps.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Any legal maneuvers could take months to play out and may have the effect of persuading his targets to postpone any plans to leave the Fed, as Powell has already done.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of persuading

Verb

But someone needs to jar Bell's memory and adjust his grasp of facts to get him off this race-baiting narrative.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Our top picks include the second season of a stylish video game spin-off anime and an Emmy-baiting prestige drama.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of baiting

Browse Nearby Words

decoyed

decoying

decoys

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“Decoying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decoying. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of decoying

verb

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