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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb beguile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beguile are deceive, delude, and mislead. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When is deceive a more appropriate choice than beguile?

While the synonyms deceive and beguile are close in meaning, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

When would delude be a good substitute for beguile?

The meanings of delude and beguile largely overlap; however, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

In what contexts can mislead take the place of beguile?

The words mislead and beguile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

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 beguile This is how Los Angeles beguiles us and sustains us. Somini Sengupta, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025 And they were beguiled by the old-fashioned small-town feel of Maplewood, if a bit puzzled by its limited architectural options. New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025 Over the centuries, the fantastical beast has reportedly been sighted on several occasions — beguiling locals. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025 Many a man was beguiled by those eyes, searching for his own reflection in their depths. Negar Azimi, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for beguile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beguile
Verb
  • Fahy is a lot of fun playing against recent type as a blue-collar woman who has zero interest in the glamorous, opulent world that so fascinates her sister.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
  • Written by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Scott Armstrong, the first-ever inside account of the Supreme Court fascinated her.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Their book has already generated a national debate about whether the White House deceived the public about the president’s condition and how Biden’s late exit from the race undermined the Democratic Party’s chances of stopping a second term for President Trump.
    Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
  • Although Bristol’s spring race may appear to have sparse crowds, this is somewhat deceiving.
    Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Users might be tempted to delay applying the update until there’s clarity from Microsoft, but often these reports are only seen afterward.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • One might be tempted to say that this dismissal is merely another episode in the grotesque sitcom that is Trumpian politics.
    Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The Navy also has spent considerably more than the others to entice sailors to reenlist, doling out retention bonuses to roughly 70,000 service members for each of the past three years.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
  • Duffy recently announced a sweeping program to upgrade the agency's technology infrastructure, as well as hiring incentives to entice more would-be air traffic controllers.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Prosecco may be Italy’s most joyful export—bubbly, bright, and effortlessly charming—but don’t let its easygoing nature fool you.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Don't let his three Emmy nominations and his more than 10 million Instagram followers fool you, Pedro Pascal is a man of the people.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Sirens is smartest when paralleling the entitlement of 21st century American wealth with Ancient Greek divinity, skewering the insularity and entitlement of these modern plutocrats who throw galas to honor themselves and to torment or seduce the mortals who are their employees and playthings.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
  • This would suck capital investment back to America in a nanosecond and financially seduce companies to reshore factories, labs and headquarters back here with bargain-low tax rates.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The sequel to Practical Magic is aiming to enchant viewers in the fall of 2026.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025
  • She was enchanted by the centuries-old wood plank floors, scarred and slightly sloped.
    Leilani Marie Labong, Architectural Digest, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • Life at the house seems more entertaining, but is that just a foolish fantasy designed to trick us into thinking that there is safe harbor somewhere?
    Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
  • Their goal is to trick people into sharing their Medicare or Social Security number.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beguile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beguile. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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