beguile
verb
Vernon Louis Parrington 
Did you know?
A number of English words have traveled a rather curious path from meanings related to deception or trickery to something less unwelcome. A prime example is beguile, which first appeared in English around the 13th century with the meaning “to lead or draw by deception.” For the next several centuries, most of the senses of the verb had to do, in one manner or another, with deceiving. Around the time of Shakespeare, however, a more appealing sense charmed its way into the English language and hasn’t left since: “to attract or interest someone,” or in other words, “to charm.” Nowadays, you’re just as likely to hear beguile applied to someone who woos an audience with charisma, as to a wily trickster who hoodwinks others to get their way.
Synonyms
Examples of beguile in a Sentence
Suzy Exposito, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024
The original Demon's Souls is a big, challenging, beguiling game, the first in From Software's Souls series.
—Julie Muncy, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2020
The military, delighted by the increases in defense spending and beguiled by Hitler’s promises of glory and territorial expansion, tamely went along.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020
Engaging, beguiling, soothing or just plain appealing, art is part of the high-end hospitality deal.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for beguile 
Dictionary Entries Near beguile
Cite this Entry
“Beguile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beguile. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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beguile
verb
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