tempting

1 of 2

adjective

tempt·​ing ˈtem(p)-tiŋ 

: having an appeal : enticing entry 1

a tempting offer

temptingly adverb

tempting

2 of 2

present participle of tempt

Examples of tempting in a Sentence

Adjective

The desserts look very tempting.

It is tempting to think of him as the next American president.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Corruption is always a tempting message for the party out of power. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026

Upgrade Your Pastries With More Fiber and Protein Pastries and bakery-style breakfasts like muffins or croissants are tasty and tempting, but they’re often made with refined flour, which strips away important blood-sugar-stabilizing nutrients. — Caitlin Beale, HEALTH, 29 Oct. 2026

Insects like ants and termites that might be drawn to a tempting tree stump can multiply and affect an entire property, potentially damaging healthy plant life directly and/or by spreading fungi or pathogens to nearby trees and plants. — Steven John, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2026

The look keeps popping up on social media, and the pitch is tempting. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of tempt

First Known Use

Adjective

1588, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tempting

• attempting
• exempting
• preempting

Kids Definition

tempting

adjective

tempt·​ing ˈtem(p)-tiŋ 

: having a strong attraction

the food all looked tempting

temptingly adverb