See lure in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Synonyms
lure entice inveigle decoy tempt seduce
These verbs mean to lead or attempt to lead into a wrong or foolish course: Lure suggests the use of something that attracts like bait: Industry often lures scientists from universities by offering them huge salaries.
To entice is to draw on skillfully, as by arousing hopes or desires: The teacher tried to entice the shy child into entering the classroom.
Inveigle implies winning over by coaxing, flattery, or artful talk: He inveigled a friend into becoming his law partner.
To decoy is to trap or ensnare by cunning or deception: Partisans dressed as simple farmers decoyed the soldiers into the crossfire.
Tempt implies an encouragement or an attraction to do something, especially something immoral, unwise, or contrary to one's better judgment: I am tempted to tell him what I really think of him.
To seduce is to entice away and usually suggests the overcoming of moral resistance: “The French King attempted by splendid offers to seduce him from the cause of the Republic” (Thomas Macaulay).
See lure in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
noun
Something that attracts, especially with the promise of pleasure or reward:
allurement, bait, come-on, enticement, inducement, inveiglement, invitation, seduction, temptation. See likeSomething that leads one into a place or situation from which escape is difficult:
bait, snare, trap. See like, safetyThe power or quality of attracting:
allure, allurement, appeal, attraction, attractiveness, call, charisma, charm, draw, enchantment, enticement, fascination, glamour, magnetism, witchery. (Informal) pull. See like
verb
To beguile or draw into a wrong or foolish course of action:
allure, entice, inveigle, seduce, tempt. Idiom: lead astray. See persuasionTo direct or impel to oneself by some quality or action:
allure, appeal, attract, draw, entice, magnetize, take. (Informal) pull. See like
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