decoying
Drawing targets away
Decoying is luring or enticing, typically into a trap or dangerous situation.
The word comes from hunting, where a decoy—a fake bird or animal—draws prey within range.
The meaning extends to any misleading attraction: They caught him decoying customers into fraudulent investments.
Police use decoying operations to catch criminals.
Redirection of attention
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- red herringIntentional misleading distraction
- smokescreenConcealment through misdirection
misdirection · deflection · ploy · ruse · bait-and-switch · false trail · chaff · evasion
Lure for prey
- lureThing that tempts
- attractantAgent that draws toward
- callContact by phone
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
seduction · allurement · appeal · invitation · come-on · teaser · inducement · carrot
Identity-concealing alteration
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- fakeNot the real thing
- dummyLifelike substitute figure
- mock-upPreliminary representational model
replica · imitation · simulation · counterfeit · blind · hide · screen · cover
Device for catching prey
- trapDevice for catching animals
- netFinal amount remaining
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- captureTake into custody
entrapment · ensnarement · baited · pitfall · hook · deadfall · corralling · noose
diversion
Redirection of attention
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- red herringIntentional misleading distraction
smokescreen · misdirection · deflection · ploy · ruse · bait-and-switch · false trail · chaff · evasion · subterfuge
bait
Lure for prey
- lureThing that tempts
- attractantAgent that draws toward
- callContact by phone
temptation · seduction · allurement · appeal · invitation · come-on · teaser · inducement · carrot · siren
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- fakeNot the real thing
- dummyLifelike substitute figure
mock-up · replica · imitation · simulation · counterfeit · blind · hide · screen · cover
snare
Device for catching prey
capture · entrapment · ensnarement · baited · pitfall · hook · deadfall · corralling · noose · cage
deceive
Cause false belief
hoodwink · beguile · ensnare · entrap · bamboozle · con · bluff · manipulate · lead astray · fool
- huntingdeer hunting, hunting rifle, hunters, tracking, hunting license
- big game huntinghunting party, hunting rifle, hunting camp, hunting license, hunting ground
- bird huntingduck hunting, goose hunting, pheasant hunting, quail hunting, shotguns
decoyingrepelling
Pushing away forcefully
repulsing · deterring · driving away · warding off · dissuading
decoyingchasing
Following to catch
pursuing · confronting · stalking · hunting · giving chase