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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonym Chooser

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

The hacker set a trap designed to lure the impostor into claiming more Bitcoin. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 There are also fears that tropical milkweed can lure monarchs away from their usual migration route and away from plants that are beneficial to them. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

But the 35-year-old didn’t resist the lure of retirement last offseason to play with any team. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The lure of becoming the first player in NBA history to win a championship with four different franchises seems to be enough motivation. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lure

Verb

There are two clues that suggest Burnham may be tempted to pull the trigger.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
With substantial American forces already positioned in the region, Washington may be tempted to break the deadlock through another round of attacks.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of tempt

Noun

Additional trips to the store aren’t the primary issue, but the constant temptation of these deals could lead to more impulse purchases — which could strain your finances during and after the holidays.

— Ryley Amond, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Rather than doing a literal adaptation, the creators kept the book’s DNA and tweaked the ideas of evil, temptation and power with a contemporary twist.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of temptation

Noun

Many political ads in the current race—the ones Peltola had apologized for—have resorted to partisan rage bait (trans fearmongering, Epstein) or personal attacks.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Admittedly, the album’s ’90s sound palette has echoes of millennial nostalgia bait—but then again, when has nostalgia not been part of Hemsworth’s appeal?

— Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bait

Noun

Neill performed the same From Russia With Love seduction scene Brolin had tackled four years earlier.

— Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
With eight episodes featuring Williams alongside Carrie-Anne Moss, Clark Backo, Noah Reid, and more, fans are in for secrets, seduction, folklore, and the supernatural.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of seduction

Verb

Will Stewart be seduced into the path of corruption by using Sinestro’s emotionally tainted battery, or steel himself against ill influences and continue to blaze his own trail as Earth's sole protector for the time being?

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Armani’s languid silhouette soon seduced red- and blue-blooded men the world over.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of seduce

Noun

New discoveries matter only if companies have the incentive and capital to bring them to market.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Some may question whether these procedures are used too often, whether the evidence supporting them is strong enough, or whether financial incentives influence their use.

— Antje M. Barreveld, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentive

Verb

Emirates, which has nearly returned to its prewar capacity, is trying to entice more connecting travelers on long-haul flights to make a stop in Dubai.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The 17-year-old said there is a lot of peer pressure to vape, and the product flavors and designs are enticing for teens.

— Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of entice

Browse Nearby Words

lurching

lure

lured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lure. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of lure

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on lure

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes