Words / C2

in-VAYGL/ɪnˈveɪɡl/

To inveigle is to persuade someone by deception or flattery (formal): inveigle into signing, inveigled a pass. To persuade (already in the dictionary) is everyday talking-into; to cajole (already in the dictionary) is sweet talk, and to coax (already in the dictionary) is gentle persuasion — cousins of tone, not of trick. To beguile (already in the dictionary) is to charm or deceive, literary. To importune (already in the dictionary) is to press persistently, nagging not necessarily lying. A stairwell signature is not consent.

Meaning

To persuade someone by deception or flattery (formal).

Examples

• “Do not inveigle a wet-ink signature in the stairwell; put consent on the form.”
• “To persuade is everyday talking-into (already in B1). To cajole is to sweet-talk (already in C2). To coax is to persuade gently (already in B2). To beguile is to charm or deceive (already in C2). To importune is to press persistently (already in C2) — nagging, not a trick. A dated form can still be short. Heat on the landing is not a record. Write the consent; then the charm.”

Good to know

Trick into agreeing (formal). Everyday: persuade (already in this dictionary). Close: cajole (already in C2); coax (already in B2); beguile (already in C2). Contrast: importune (pressing — already in C2). A stairwell ≠ a form.

Near in meaning

cajole, wheedle, ensnare, lure

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