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

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

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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

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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

repellent

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

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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

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 lure

Verb

Japan’s government says maintaining residents is crucial to national security and has provided subsidies to lure people to work in tourism, fishing and other industries. — Lefteris Pitarakis, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 Its meadows of native grasses and wildflowers lure a variety of butterflies spring through fall. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Noun

As a reptile morphologist, Schwenk didn’t expect that the lure would include anything other than soft tissue. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 For another geological lure, Kolymbithres Beach in Paros features giant white granite rocks sculpted by the sea into other-worldly formations. — Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure

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

Definition of tempt

Noun

Older male actors are particularly common bait, according to Arrigoni.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Plus, cutting bait with the coach would mean paying one of the biggest buyouts in the history of the sport — money that USC could desperately use to keep building up the talent in the program.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of bait

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

Definition of seduce

Noun

The Port Authority of Kansas City approved incentives for the development earlier this year.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
Iowa lawmakers will return to the Statehouse Friday to consider expanding the ceiling on state tax incentives in an effort to secure a $15 billion steel plant project for the state.

— Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentive

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

Definition of entice

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lurching

lure

lured

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

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