tempt

verb

ˈtem(p)t 

tempted; tempting; tempts

transitive verb

1

: to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain

2

a

: to induce to do something

b

: to cause to be strongly inclined

was tempted to call it quits

3

a

: to try presumptuously : provoke

tempt fate

b

: to risk the dangers of

c

obsolete : to make trial of : test

temptable

ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• allure
• bait
• beguile
• betray
• decoy
• entice
• lead on
• lure
• seduce
• solicit

Choose the Right Synonym for tempt

lure, entice, inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from one's true course.

lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.

lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes

entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.

advertising designed to entice new customers

inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.

fund-raisers inveigling wealthy alumni

decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.

attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush

tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.

tempted by the offer of money

seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.

seduced by assurances of assistance

Examples of tempt in a Sentence

that chocolate dessert sure tempts me, but I should stick with my diet

refusing to lay in enough food for the long winter tempts the dangers of starvation

Recent Examples on the Web

Children are among the most vulnerable – and teens among the most tempted. —Ashley Okwuosa, The Examination; Amy Yurkanin, Al.com; John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

While the rooms are so bright and comfortable guests may be tempted not to leave the property, the hotel’s neighborhood is ripe for exploring. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024

And he and the others are tempted to flee to any country in the European Union. —Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Dogs aren’t the only ones tempted to nosh on cicadas; people have eaten them for thousands of years. —Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

Certainly, the Sino-Russian relationship is not without its strains, and existing tensions may be exacerbated as China grows more confident and is tempted to start bossing around the Russians in a more heavy-handed way—something that no ruler in Moscow would take lightly. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024

And Deborah, too, will always be tempted by the comfort of staying in the same place. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

Achieving faster and bigger jackpots that tempt even the most rational-minded person. —Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

While you may be tempted to look at the eclipse with your bare eyes, don’t. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tempten "to test, incite to sin, attempt," borrowed from Anglo-French tempter, temter, tenter, going back to Latin temptāre, tentāre "to feel, test, examine, attempt, make an assault on, attack" (Late Latin, "to incite to sin"), perhaps frequentative derivative from an Indo-European verbal base *temp- "stretch, extend" (hence, "grope for, feel") — more at tempo

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tempt

• tempt fate

Kids Definition

tempt

verb

ˈtem(p)t 

1

: to persuade or try to persuade to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain

2

: to risk the dangers of

tempt fate

3

a

: to get to do something

tempted her to taste the cake

b

: to cause to have a certain feeling

was tempted to quit

temptable

ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl 

adjective

tempter noun