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

He enticed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit China over the weekend for the first time in seven years, rebooting a key economic and strategic relationship.

From BBC

The reason for the direct pass up to the attacker is to entice the opposition centre-back to follow the attacker, which could open up space for a United player to run into.

From BBC

“Sanctions relief is no longer the enticing carrot that it once was.”

From Los Angeles Times

Wayne Rooney received a surprising phone call enticing him to join Manchester United when he was a teenager - from Paul Scholes.

From BBC

The growing allure of watches with A-list history was enticing people to peddle dubious timepieces.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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