LURES Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

lures 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lure

as in tempts

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage the hunter lured the lion into the open with the antelope carcass

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lures

2 of 2

something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain the promise of easy money is always the lure for some people to play the lottery good schools are a lure for prospective home buyers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in baits

something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap the fish simply didn't seem to like the lure I was using, so I didn't catch a thing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repellents

as in seductions

the act or pressure of giving in to a desire especially when ill-advised the lure of the video game was distracting me from my studies

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lures

Verb

In the exceedingly bleak ending to the book, Bela realizes that the demon has killed and styled itself after her Grandma Ruth, who lures Russell and Ursula to their death. — William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 The Vegetarian by Han Kang, 208 Pages This haunting novel lures readers when a woman’s sudden decision to stop eating meat triggers a destructive crisis in her family. — Arabella Hau, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026 Red Ginger, an uber-popular pan-Asian eatery, lures guests with classics like a phenomenal spicy duck and watermelon salad and IG-worthy lobster pad Thai. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 The show lures corporate sponsors to the marketing mecca, where brands hope to convert experience seekers into true believers, eventually disciples. — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Scott said of his guidance for production designer Chris Seavers, who was tasked with creating the creepy airport where off-kilter flight attendant Allison Janney lures the film’s heroes to potential doom. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 The price of these franchises demands operating with that paradigm and thus lures those who see growth like hammers see nails. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 An unusual black box near the American Museum of Natural History’s (AMNH) iconic blue whale lures unsuspecting visitors to one of the museum’s most dramatic displays. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026 Most insidiously, line culture lures its practitioners into a false sense of democracy. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lures

Verb

For most, fear of shame is a necessary backstop to push people away from what wrongly tempts them.

— Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
While Sal tempts Sessa’s Bourdain with drugs, thievery and more bad behavior.

— Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of tempts

Noun

As the frontman of the Killers, Flowers, 45, has spent more than two decades singing about the struggles and the temptations at the heart of the American dream.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
There are games, tests and temptations designed to test the competitors physically, mentally, and morally before one walks away with the prize.

— Peter White, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of temptations

Noun

To achieve that fluttering action, the material in these baits is very soft.

— Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Judging by the surge in both the number and range of baits used on authors over the past couple of years, the scams seem to be launched from multiple territories.

— Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of baits

Noun

Wallen specializes in whiskey-drunk seductions to skeptical girls who can’t resist his charms.

— Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
So, who was it from our universe that would be most susceptible to that kind of messaging, or who would find the seductions of the power offered by that the most compelling?

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2026

Definition of seductions

Verb

Artificial plays like a modern-day parable in which the trickster god seduces the innocent.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Diaz centers music as the emotional vehicle that provides a philosophical structure for the character tropes and in turn psychologically seduces the audience to internalize certain ideas of social dynamics.

— Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of seduces

Noun

Commercial incentives persist Koh said shipping companies around the world have continued looking for opportunities to navigate the Strait since the conflict erupted, with some operators prepared to accept higher risks and costs.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
These changes would reduce costs, free up management bandwidth and improve IPO formation incentives.

— Jeff Jacobs, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentives

Noun

The curators, David Breslin and Brinda Kumar, don’t accomplish this with appeals to timeliness or relevance but with a mighty selection of pieces—more than a hundred and twenty, from eighty-two different institutions—and smart exhibition design.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Michael Rider’s Celine appeals to me for its approach to the contemporary wardrobe.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of appeals

Verb

Turkey’s growing hair transplant and restoration industry in particular entices people with easy-to-digest all-inclusive packages advertised on their websites, online placements, and social media.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026
The high-concept thriller stars Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as a demonic character called The Stranger, who entices a young mother played by Jasmine Trinca into forging a Faustian pact.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of entices

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lured

lures

lurid

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Style

“Lures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lures. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lures

verb

noun

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