allure 1 of 2

Definition of allurenext

allure

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word allure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allure are attract, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When might attract be a better fit than allure?

Although the words attract and allure have much in common, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of allure?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

When can enchant be used instead of allure?

While in some cases nearly identical to allure, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When would fascinate be a good substitute for allure?

While the synonyms fascinate and allure are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

How is the word allure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allure are attract, captivate, charm, enchant, and fascinate. While all these words mean "to draw another by exerting a powerful influence," allure implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive.

an alluring smile

When might attract be a better fit than allure?

Although the words attract and allure have much in common, attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another.

students attracted by the school's locale

How are the words charm and captivate related as synonyms of allure?

Charm implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response, but it may, like captivate, suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration.

charmed by their hospitality
her performances captivated audiences

When can enchant be used instead of allure?

While in some cases nearly identical to allure, enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject.

hopelessly enchanted by her beauty

When would fascinate be a good substitute for allure?

While the synonyms fascinate and allure are close in meaning, fascinate suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist.

a story that continues to fascinate children

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 allure
Noun
The reason is this draft lacks the allure of multiple quarterbacks competing to go higher than the others. Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 The effect is an escapist allure, ready for a splash at any moment. Minty Mellon, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The getaway, which bookends Tucson with its Saguaro East and Saguaro West parks, allures with inky nightscapes and numerous open-late trails. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 8 Dec. 2025 The region’s invigorating multiculturalism also allures visitors drawn to calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allure
Noun
  • The music that we were inspired by at that time and looking to as luminaries never had a broad appeal.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Mouhamadou Fall, one of 12 siblings in a Parisian family, is candid about the appeal.
    Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Geese’s charmed run as one of the buzziest indie rock bands of recent memory will extend at least through early November, as the New York quartet has announced some of its biggest live shows to date in support of its 2025 Partisan album Getting Killed.
    SPIN Staff, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The series first debuted on Prime Video in 2021 and quickly gained a huge following, with viewers charmed by the beautiful scenery and the drama that country living can bring, helped along by Clarkson’s total lack of farming experience.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • You’d have been tempted to say it was meant to be.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Alternatively, you may be tempted to toss items that could have some monetary value.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Peters, is widely viewed as a leading figure in the looksmaxxing community, an online movement of young men pursuing methods to maximize their physical attractiveness.
    Ryan Brennan April 15, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Research conducted by travel insurer InsureandGo found that the scenic railway had the highest attractiveness score across two key measures.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The idea was likened to a national version of unearthing an ancient Egyptian tomb and expected to fascinate audiences.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Alicia Johnson, who lives in Onarga in Iroquois County, said she was fascinated by the neighborhood.
    Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Last week, the prosecution showed the jurors chilling video and audio evidence that included Athena’s last moments after Horner lured her inside the FedEx van.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Red-hot demand for server products has lured memory suppliers into concentrating on the high-speed processors for those machines.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Shot against the backdrop of a real-life workshop run by Polish pole dancing school Exo Stars Camp, the film grew out of Orlewicz‑Zakrzewska’s personal fascination with pole dancing.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The teens were also said to have been involved in online groups recruiting fighters for IS militants in Syria and shared a fascination with violence and hatred against Jews, LGBTQ+ people and others, officials said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His frame and traits are enticing.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Office renovations and conversions in Charlotte Post-COVID, office towers have to either entice people to come back to the cubicle or change uses.
    Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allure. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on allure

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster