luring

Luring is the act of attracting or enticing someone or something to come closer, enter a place, or take a specific action, often by offering an incentive, decoy, or bait. The term can describe both neutral and unlawful practices and is used across biology, fishing, crime, and commerce.

In nature and hunting, luring refers to strategies predators or parasites use to draw prey within reach, or to the use of lures and decoys by humans in fishing or hunting. In angling, a lure is a device or material used to attract fish, and the act of presenting it is described as luring.

In human contexts, luring can involve deception or coercion. Many legal systems prohibit luring a person into wrongdoing or into sexual activity, especially when a minor is targeted; penalties vary by jurisdiction but generally require intent and some degree of manipulation. Luring is also discussed in the context of online safety and consumer protection.

In marketing and everyday language, lure can describe incentives designed to attract customers or participants, such as sales, promotions, or rewards. This use can be legitimate or, in some cases, associated with misleading tactics that cross into bait-and-switch or deceptive advertising.

Ethical considerations center on manipulation, consent, and harm. Luring as a concept highlights the tension between attraction and exploitation across different domains.