Sirens

Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, evil creatures who lived on a rocky island, singing in beautiful voices in an effort to lure sailors to shipwreck and death. Odysseus ordered his crew to plug their ears to escape the Sirens' fatal song.

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Figuratively, a “siren” is a beautiful or tempting woman; a “siren song” is any irresistible distraction.

Example Sentences

Sirens blared, horns honked, and church bells pealed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

As Odysseus and his ship were sailing by the Sirens, he knew the Sirens’ song would be irresistible and — if he didn’t resist its allure — fatal.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

Sirens blared along Ramona Boulevard in Baldwin Park as police officers from throughout the region gathered Friday to mourn one of their own.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2025

You played the younger version of Betty White in an early movie, you've worked with Nicole Kidman, and you are working now with Julianne Moore on "Sirens."

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2025

Sirens blared from behind him, and they all turned to see three police vans, white and plain, roll up on 4th.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro