entice

1 of 2

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs How to pronounce entice (audio)
en-
enticed; enticing
Synonyms of entice

transitive verb

: to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire : tempt
enticement
in-ˈtī-smənt How to pronounce entice (audio)
en-
noun

enticement

2 of 2

noun

en·​tice·​ment -mənt How to pronounce enticement (audio)
plural -s
1
obsolete : incitement
2
: the act of enticing
3
: something that entices : a means or method of enticing

Synonyms of entice

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for entice

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce 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

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

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

seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of entice in a Sentence

Verb every commercial seemed to be for some tempting snack specifically designed to entice me from my diet
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 Whether or not Hal was right to entice Zoe (upon whose shoulders the carnage ultimately falls), his decision to circumvent the Guardians’ chain of command is what ultimately leads to countless deaths and his imprisonment for reckless endangerment. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Mustard’s Last Stand, the hot-dog stand right next to Ryan Field, tried to entice some of them with a food cart by the sidewalk. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entice

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French enticer, from Vulgar Latin *intitiare, from Latin in- + titio firebrand

Noun

Middle English, from Old French, from enticier + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of entice was in the 14th century

Rhymes for entice

See All Rhymes for entice

Browse Nearby Words

enthymeme
entice
enticement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entice. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

entice

verb
en·​tice in-ˈtīs How to pronounce entice (audio)
enticed; enticing
: to attract by arousing hope or desire : tempt
enticement
-mənt How to pronounce entice (audio)
noun
enticingly
-iŋ-lē How to pronounce entice (audio)
adverb
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