entice

[en-tahys]

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verb (used with object), en·ticed, en·tic·ing.

to lead on by exciting hope or desire; allure; inveigle: They were enticed westward by dreams of gold.

Nearby words

Origin of entice

1250–1300; Middle English enticen < Old French enticier to incite < Vulgar Latin *intitiāre, equivalent to Latin in- in-² + -titiāre, verbal derivative of *titius, for titiō piece of burning wood

SYNONYMS FOR entice

lure, attract, decoy, tempt.

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ANTONYMS FOR entice

repel.

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Related forms

en·tic·ing·ly, adverben·tic·ing·ness, nounnon·en·tic·ing, adjectivenon·en·tic·ing·ly, adverb

un·en·ticed, adjectiveun·en·tic·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enticed

In the past, the international community has enticed the Kim regime to negotiate by giving up-front concessions.
Should Obama Take North Korea’s Bait?|Gordon G. Chang|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They enticed Yanukovych into an economic deal that would have gradually diminished Russian influence in Ukraine.
Cut the Baloney on Ukraine|Leslie H. Gelb|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The area, which once hosted a large lake, had an attractive climate that enticed herbivores and then carnivores.
294 Dinosaurs Once Walked on This Wall in Bolivia|Nina Strochlic|October 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Joanna Angel, owner of Burning Angel, knows that consumers need to be enticed.
Free Porn Is Threatening the Adult Industry. Here Are Five Ways to Save It.|Aurora Snow|September 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

So far, the effort is underfunded and hasn't yet enticed China and India.
Hillary Clinton’s Plan to Get Serious About Global Warming|David G. Victor, Charles F. Kennel, Veerabhadran Ramanathan|June 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A young man living in Kentucky had been enticed into the rebel army.
Lincoln's Yarns and Stories|Alexander K. McClure
He laid down the law before the meek foot-boys once he had enticed them beyond earshot of the cave.
The Red Tavern|Charles Raymond Macauley
When he returns home he has never been enticed to the right or to the left.
Travelling Sketches.|Anthony Trollope
In other words she had not been sent for before, and he had therefore been enticed, as one captures singing-birds.
Fair Haven and Foul Strand|August Strindberg
My harpsichord, monsieur; it was so perfect that it enticed me toward earthly things; I condemned it this morning.
The Regent's Daughter|Alexandre Dumas (Pere)

British Dictionary definitions for enticed

entice

verb

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

Derived Forms

enticement, nounenticer, nounenticing, adjectiveenticingly, adverb

enticingness, noun

Word Origin for entice

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

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

Word Origin and History for enticed

entice

late 13c., intice, from Old French enticier "to stir up (fire), to excite, incite," perhaps from Vulgar Latin *intitiare "set on fire," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + titio (genitive titionis) "firebrand," of uncertain origin. Meaning "to allure, attract" is from c.1300. Related: Enticed; enticing.