seduce

[si-doos, -dyoos]

verb (used with object)

seduced, seducing 

1. to lead astray, as from duty, rectitude, or the like; corrupt.

   Synonyms: deceive, lure, allure, decoy, inveigle, beguile
   Antonyms: repel

2. to persuade or induce to have sexual intercourse.

3. to lead or draw away, as from principles, faith, or allegiance.

   He was seduced by the prospect of gain.

4. to win over; attract; entice.

   a supermarket seducing customers with special sales.

seduce

/ sɪˈdjuːs /

verb

1. to persuade to engage in sexual intercourse

2. to lead astray, as from the right action

3. to win over, attract, or lure

Other Word Forms

• seducer noun
• seducible adjective
• seduceable adjective
• seducingly adverb
• unseducible adjective
• unseducibleness noun
• unseducibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of seduce¹

First recorded in 1470–80; from Latin sēdūcere “to lead aside,” equivalent to sē- se- + dūcere “to lead”; replacing earlier seduise, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of seduce¹

C15: from Latin sēdūcere to lead apart, from sē- apart + dūcere to lead

Synonym Study

See tempt.

Example Sentences

She’s too busy seducing women and swatting down randy men.

From Los Angeles Times

Like turntables, typewriters, tiki bars and film cameras, these midcentury motels are back, seducing millennials, Gen Z and baby boomers like the character Johnny Rose on the beloved TV series “Schitt’s Creek.”

From Los Angeles Times

Shot in saturated primary colors, the visual of the song finds her seducing both the camera and her dancing partner in no uncertain terms.

From Los Angeles Times

He teased, cajoled and vexed his listeners, daring them to explore the "devilish" contours of his mind, as he sang rash rhymes about parties, drugs and "seducing" women.

From BBC

Well, the reason was that he might succumb to me seducing him into singing some Johnny Cash.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beguile 
• betray 
• deceive 
• delude 
• entice 
• persuade 

When To Use

What does seduce mean?

To seduce someone is to make them want to engage in sexual activity with you, especially in a subtle or manipulative way.Seduce is also commonly used in a more general way meaning to tempt or influence someone to do something, especially something bad or something they wouldn’t normally do. Though this sense of the word does not involve sex, it’s still often thought of as a metaphor for the type of seducing that does.Both senses of the word often imply a subtle manipulation in which one’s motives are hidden.People or things that seduce are said to be seductive. The act of seducing is called seduction.Example: They’re going to try to seduce you with flattery and a fancy dinner, but try to focus on the terms of the deal before you make your decision.