Seduced
/sɪˈduːst/
verbB2past tense
Definition
To be seduced means to be attracted or tempted by someone or something, often in a way that makes a person want to do something they might not normally do. It usually involves charm, beauty, or strong appeal that draws someone in, sometimes with a feeling of being tricked or persuaded.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
To attract someone in a romantic or sexual way
- •He was seduced by her beauty and charm.
- •The movie shows how the villain seduced the hero's friend.
- •She felt seduced by the mysterious stranger's words.
To tempt someone to do something, especially something wrong or unwise
- •The advertisement seduced many people into buying the expensive product.
- •He was seduced into breaking the rules by promises of money.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "seduced" like "liked" (A1 word), but much stronger and with a sense of being pulled or drawn in by charm or temptation
- ✓Picture a shiny, sweet candy that looks very tasty and makes you want to eat it even if you know you shouldn't
- ✓It's the feeling when someone is very charming and you want to follow or trust them, even if you should be careful
- ✓Sounds like "see-DOOST" → imagine someone saying "See, do this!" in a soft, tempting voice
- ✓Think of stories where a character is tempted by a beautiful or clever person to do something risky or unexpected
- ✓NOT like "like" (simple positive feeling)—"seduced" has a stronger pull and sometimes a hidden risk or trick
- ✓NOT like "forced" (made to do something by pressure)—"seduced" is about attraction and choice, but influenced by charm
- ✓NOT like "persuaded" (convinced by reason)—"seduced" often uses feelings and attraction, not just logic
Try Other Words
- •Tempted: attracted to do something, often because it seems nice or good (Use when the attraction is less strong or less about charm)
- •Lured: pulled in by something attractive, sometimes with a hidden danger (Use when there is a sense of trick or danger)
- •Persuaded: convinced by reasons or arguments (Use when the influence is logical, not emotional or attractive)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: "se-" (a prefix often meaning apart or aside) + "duce" from Latin "ducere" meaning "to lead" → literally "to lead aside" or "to lead away"
- •Etymology: From Latin "seducere," meaning to lead away or entice
- •Historical development: Originally used in the sense of leading someone away, especially morally or physically; later used for romantic or emotional attraction
- •Modern usage: Used to describe attracting someone by charm or temptation, often with a romantic or emotional meaning, but also used for general tempting or attracting
Reflect & Connect
•How can being seduced be both a positive and a negative experience?
•In what situations might someone be seduced by ideas or things rather than people?
Fill in the blanks
1.He was seduced by her ___ and couldn't say no to her requests.
2.People can be seduced into making bad choices because of strong ___ or promises.
3.Unlike being forced, being seduced means someone is ___ to follow or agree.
4.Advertisements often try to seduce customers by showing ___ and happiness.
5.She was seduced ___ the idea of adventure, even though it was risky.
6.When someone is seduced, they usually feel a strong ___ to do something they might not usually do.
7.The story shows how the character was seduced away from his friends and ___ his own values.