Synonyms

entice

American

[en-tahys] / ɛnˈtaɪs /

verb (used with object)

enticed, enticing

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 British

/ ɪnˈtaɪs /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of entice

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”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The brilliant Starc then enticed last man Tongue into a pat to extra cover.

From BBC

Consumers splurged this last holiday season, enticed by good deals even as they worried about growth and inflation.

From Los Angeles Times

He has ample economic and military tools with which to entice Greenlanders and pressure Denmark.

From The Wall Street Journal

PDC chief executive Matt Porter has previously said they consider "star quality" and people who can "perform on the big stage" so they can entice millions to watch on TV.

From BBC

“After multiple years of a near-absence in VC-backed IPOs, pent-up demand for new stocks has enticed more companies to come to market, and signs point to more activity in 2026,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023