entice

[en-tahys]

verb (used with object)

enticed, enticing 

1. to lead on by exciting hope or desire; allure; inveigle.

   They were enticed westward by dreams of gold.

   Synonyms: tempt, decoy, attract, lure
   Antonyms: repel

entice

/ ɪnˈtaɪs /

verb

1. (tr) to attract or draw towards oneself by exciting hope or desire; tempt; allure

Other Word Forms

• enticing adjective
• enticingly adverb
• enticer noun
• enticement noun
• enticingness noun
• unenticed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of entice¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English enticen, from Old French enticier “to incite,” from unattested Vulgar Latin intitiāre, equivalent to Latin in- in- ² + -titiāre, verbal derivative of unattested titius, for titiō “piece of burning wood”

Word History and Origins

Origin of entice¹

C13: from Old French enticier, from Vulgar Latin intitiāre (unattested) to incite, from Latin titiō firebrand

Example Sentences

As independence is more popular than the SNP at the moment, part of Swinney's strategy will be to entice at least some lapsed SNP voters back.

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He came in with his handler—who warned her not to lock eyes with the animal or he might be enticed to pounce.

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Italy has lured new high-net-worth residents and skilled workers from around the world, especially London, with enticing tax breaks.

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Home builders are enticing buyers with discounts and offers to pay down their mortgage rates for a few years with the hope that rates will later fall and let borrowers refinance.

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Genetically engineered Roundup Ready soybeans, coupled with surging demand from China, enticed thousands of farmers like him to increase their soybean output.

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Related Words

• attract 
• beguile 
• cajole 
• coax 
• seduce 
• tempt