beguiling

[bih-gahy-ling]

adjective

1. having the power to charm or divert the attention; intriguing.

   a beguiling smile.

Other Word Forms

• beguilingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of beguiling¹

First recorded in 1575–1600; beguil(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Strong, who won an Olivier Award for his performance in Ivo van Hove’s revival of Arthur Miller’s “A View From the Bridge,” exposes the boyish vulnerability within the sophisticated politician in his sympathetically beguiling portrayal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Smith agrees and his version of Bunny is more beguiling and dangerous, and his appeal makes his downfall harder to dismiss.

Read more on BBC

Yet the pudgy former late-night sidekick is beguiling viewers on the 34th season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Read more on Salon

Her engaging voice is populated by a large cast of beguiling characters, settings are enriched with vivid details, all of it grounded by a compelling story line.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The image is, typically for the film, delicately beguiling.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bogus 
• deceitful 
• dishonest 
• distorted 
• erroneous 
• fake 
• fanciful 
• faulty 
• fictitious 
• fraudulent 
• improper 
• inaccurate 
• incorrect 
• invalid 
• misleading 
• mistaken 
• phony 
• specious 
• spurious 
• unfounded