tempt

tempt

verb

Definition of TEMPT

1

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage <that chocolate dessert sure tempts me, but I should stick with my diet>

Synonyms allure, bait, beguile, betray, decoy, entice, lead on, seduce, solicit, tempt

Related Words draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow; catch, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entrap, mesh, snare, tangle, trap; bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate, magnetize, wile

Near Antonyms alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn; drive (away or off), repulse, turn away

2

to take a chance on <refusing to lay in enough food for the long winter tempts the dangers of starvation>

Synonyms adventure, chance, gamble (on), hazard, tempt, venture

Related Words beard, brave, brazen, breast, challenge, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave; compromise, endanger, imperil, jeopardize, menace; expose, subject; bet (on), wager