entice

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs 

en-

enticed; enticing

transitive verb

: to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire : tempt

enticement

in-ˈtī-smənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms

• allure
• bait
• beguile
• betray
• decoy
• lead on
• lure
• seduce
• solicit
• tempt

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

every commercial seemed to be for some tempting snack specifically designed to entice me from my diet

Recent Examples on the Web

Beijing has enticed other countries, like Nauru, another Pacific nation, to sever ties with Taipei. —Jacob Judah, New York Times, 2 June 2024

The following night, the party for The Apprentice, sponsored by Perrier Jouet, enticed Cate Blanchett — who has just celebrated her own film Rumours at Lucia — to return to the restaurant for a repeat. —Carita Rizzo, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024

The key provision will more than double the existing cap, setting it at nearly $15 million per project, in a move that should entice bigger budget productions to film in the country. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 17 May 2024

Companies need ways to entice more people back to the office, and that means making downtown unique, rather than filling spaces with run-of-the-mill restaurants. —Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

entice

verb

en·​tice in-ˈtīs 

enticed; enticing

: to attract by arousing hope or desire : tempt

enticement

-mənt 

noun

enticingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb