1
: an object usually of leather or feathers attached to a long cord and used by a falconer to recall or exercise a hawk
2
a
: an inducement to pleasure or gain : enticement
the lure of adventure
the lure of her beauty
b
: appeal, attraction
may succumb to the lure of candy, sodas and other sweets—
Cheryl Jennings-Sauer
Cheryl Jennings-Sauer3
: a decoy for attracting animals to capture: such as
a
: artificial bait used for catching fish
b
: an often luminous (see luminous sense 1a) structure on the head of pediculate fishes that is used to attract prey
lured; luring
1
: to recall or exercise (a hawk) by means of a lure
2
: to draw with a hint of pleasure or gain : attract actively and strongly
Synonyms
Examples of lure in a Sentence
Noun
the promise of easy money is always the lure for some people to play the lottery
the fish simply didn't seem to like the lure I was using, so I didn't catch a thing
Verb
They lured the bear out of its den.
The suburbs are luring middle-class families away from the city.
The police lured him back to the scene of the crime.
Explorers were lured to the area by tales of a city of gold.
An attractive window display can help to lure shoppers into the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Todd Spitzer, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Yet having already turned down several high-profile opportunities, the lure of one of the biggest clubs in world soccer has ultimately proved too irresistible to turn down.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Similarly, Indian nationals are said to have been lured to Russia to work various jobs in services, before being sent to the frontlines.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lure 
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Noun
The lure of California’s soft-on-crime policies has resulted in criminals from across the world coming to California to steal – and get away with it.
—Todd Spitzer, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Yet having already turned down several high-profile opportunities, the lure of one of the biggest clubs in world soccer has ultimately proved too irresistible to turn down.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Over the past two years, there have been episodic reports of Cuban, Indian, and Nepalese soldiers and volunteers lured to fight for Russia.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Similarly, Indian nationals are said to have been lured to Russia to work various jobs in services, before being sent to the frontlines.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lure
Dictionary Entries Near lure
Cite this Entry
“Lure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lure. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lure
1 of 2 noun1
a
: something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain : temptation
2
: a decoy for attracting animals to capture
especially
: an artificial bait used for catching fish
lure
2 of 2 verb
lured; luring
: to tempt or lead away by offering some pleasure or advantage : entice
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