beguile

be·guile

verb \bi-ˈgī(-ə)l, bē-\

be·guiledbe·guil·ing

Definition of BEGUILE

transitive verb

1

: to lead by deception

2

: hoodwink

3

: to while away especially by some agreeable occupation; also : divert 2

4

: to engage the interest of by or as if by guile

intransitive verb

: to deceive by wiles

— be·guile·ment \-ˈgī(-ə)l-mənt\ noun

— be·guil·er \-ˈgī-lər\ noun

— be·guil·ing·ly \-ˈgī-liŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of BEGUILE

1. She was cunning enough to beguile her classmates into doing the work for her.
2. They were beguiled into thinking they'd heard the whole story.
3. Almost everything in the quaint little town beguiles, from its architecture to its art to its people.
4. He beguiled the audience with his smooth and seductive voice.

First Known Use of BEGUILE

13th century

Related to BEGUILE

Synonyms: allure, charm, bewitch, captivate, enchant, fascinate, kill, magnetize, wile, witch [archaic]

Antonyms: undeceive

Related Words: disarm, draw, entice, lure, pull, seduce, tempt; delight, gratify, please; arrest, enrapture, enthrall (or enthral), entrance; appeal (to), interest, intrigue; beckon, court, invite, solicit, woo

Near Antonyms: disgust, offend, repel, revolt; annoy, displease, irk; bore, tire, weary

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at deceive