inveigle

Definition of inveiglenext

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 But his wayward cousin Freddie constantly inveigles him into more serious mischief. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Unlike his small-time Israeli rivals, the placards implied, Netanyahu was a savvy statesman who punched above his weight on the international stage, thanks to his unaccented English oratory and ability to inveigle the world’s most powerful people. — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inveigle
Verb
  • So far, Siemens has managed to persuade companies to share their data in return for access to its AI model and the ability to request new use cases.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Peril at End House features Christie fan favorites like Arthur Hustings and Chief Inspector Japp and is set in Cornwall, where Poirot and Hastings meet a young woman who is persuaded that someone is out to kill her.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The second allows the devil to slide into his DMs, utilizing a seduce-and-destroy approach that will eventually lead to Sutskever becoming OpenAI’s resident Chicken Little and the tech industry’s conscientious objector.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Artificial plays like a modern-day parable in which the trickster god seduces the innocent.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As the midterms near, leaders across the party have been meeting with MAHA activists, discussing potential openings with consultants, and rolling out food and environmental agendas meant to entice these voters.
    — Daniel Payne, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The Sunday broadcast lured approximately 2 million viewers between the ages of 25 and 54 — the demographic most coveted by advertisers in news programming.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Eight months after pledging to attract more talent and capital to South Florida by luring world-class companies and universities to the region, two of the area’s wealthiest billionaires are putting that promise into action.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • You might be tempted by that pair of puppy dog eyes in the pet store window.
    — Jane Sykes, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Male guests might be tempted by their ‘Southern Gentleman’ package.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Kalshi said the feature is aimed at attracting large institutional investors, who the company is also trying to draw in.
    — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In a move intended to draw in more voters, the measure would also place a ban on gender-affirming care for minors in the state Constitution.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster