entice

[ en-tahys ]

verb (used with object)

, en·ticed, en·tic·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• enˈticing, adjective
• enˈticingly, adverb
• enˈticer, noun
• enˈticement, noun
• enˈticingness, noun

Other Words From

• un·en·ticed 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

It has been a commercial success too, which doesn’t hurt, particularly at a time when prestige films have struggled to entice grown-ups away from the comforts of home.

From Los Angeles Times

The league hopes to entice one or more of its national broadcast partners to renew their deals by adding streaming rights currently held by local teams.

From Los Angeles Times

To entice Russia, the West would promise to delay Ukraine’s entry into Nato, the military alliance of European and North American nations.

From BBC

Police said on Thursday that the company had located the "skittish" group, and "are working to entice them with food".

From BBC

To entice Russia, the West would promise to delay Ukraine’s much-wanted entry into Nato.

From BBC

Related Words

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