entice

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "entice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb when referring to the act of persuading someone to do something through temptation or enticement. For example: "The store enticed customers with special discounts and gift cards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can we entice you with our Cool Blue Ocean Acidifier with a topping of crumbled reef coral?

The Guardian

The government hopes that the lure of extended contracts will entice greater investment from the private sector and allow the government to reduce the taxpayer's contribution to the railways.

The Guardian

Microsoft hopes Windows 10 will bring users back and entice businesses to ditch the four-year-old Windows 7, seven-year-old Windows Vista and the now-discontinued 13-year-old Windows XP.

The Guardian - Tech

But now, Twitter is hopeful that the offering will entice more major advertisers to its platform.

The Guardian - Tech

Locals will hope the Street View images entice tourists back to visit the real thing.

The Guardian

Windows 10 will aim to entice users put off by Windows 8, whose lack of a start menu (introduced in 1995 with Windows 95) was more suitable for touch interfaces than a keyboard and a mouse – even though keyboard-reliant users outnumbered touch users by millions to one.

The Guardian - Tech

Tim Matson, a writer who travelled around interviewing people in the death profession, admitted he could not imagine a paycheck large enough to entice him into working with the dead.

The Guardian - Opinion

What is the siren call of the colour bomb that would be worth King purchasing advertising space to entice players back to their phones?

The Guardian - Tech

The USFL offered gigantic contracts to entice talented college football players, such as a three-year, $5m, record-setting contract for running back Herschel Walker in 1983, a five-year, $5.5m contract for quarterback Doug Flutie, and an absurd 43-year, $40m contract for quarterback Steve Young to become the franchise player for the Los Angeles Express.

The Guardian - Sport

Perfume giant Avon is launching a recruitment drive to entice university leavers to work for the company.

The Guardian - Money

Bournemouth might have to throw in a free tour of Harry Redknapp's house on Sandbanks to entice more than a handful of fans from the continent.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "entice", ensure that the object of your enticement is clearly defined. For example, "The company used bonuses to entice new employees."

Common error

Avoid using "entice" when describing actions that are inherently negative or harmful. It's better suited for situations where the outcome is mutually beneficial or neutral.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "entice" is to act as a transitive verb, describing the action of attracting or persuading someone, often by offering something appealing. Ludwig shows it is commonly used to suggest a desirable outcome that motivates an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entice" is a grammatically correct verb that means to attract or persuade someone by offering something appealing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. It is very common, used neutrally but more often in formal contexts like news and business. To avoid misuse, ensure the action isn't inherently harmful and that the object of enticement is clearly defined. Related words include "lure", "tempt", and "attract", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lure

This word suggests a more subtle or deceptive form of attraction.

tempt

This alternative implies presenting something desirable to encourage a particular action.

attract

This word describes drawing someone in through appealing qualities.

allure

This suggests a mysterious or exotic attraction.

persuade

This term indicates convincing someone through reasoning or argument.

draw in

This term implies bringing someone in towards a particular thing or location.

seduce

This term implies a strong and often irresistible form of attraction.

woo

This phrase suggests actively seeking someone's favor or affection.

charm

This word describes using pleasant qualities to win someone over.

court

This alternative indicates seeking to gain favor or support.

FAQs

How do you use "entice" in a sentence?

You can use "entice" to describe the act of attracting or persuading someone, such as, "The promise of a reward enticed him to participate."

What can I say instead of "entice"?

You can use alternatives like "lure", "tempt", or "attract" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "entice" and "seduce"?

"Entice" generally implies a milder form of persuasion, while "seduce" suggests a stronger, often irresistible attraction.

When is it inappropriate to use the word "entice"?

It's best to avoid using "entice" in situations where the act of persuasion involves deception or harm. For example, it would be better to use "trick" or "mislead".