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 of tempt

• lure
• seduce
• entice
• persuade
• betray

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

Still, Fed officials might be more tempted to look through a temporary oil spike if further signs emerge that consumers — particularly among these at the lower end of the income spectrum — are struggling with both higher prices and a weakening labor market. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026

There’s a general sense that market conditions mean adaptation buyers could be tempted into something new. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026

While many dangerous plants are unlikely to appear in a flower garden, there are some weeds that produce beautiful flowers and tempting berries that may look right at home next to your camellias, but are downright deadly. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Around that time, the comet will be passing just to the immediate left of the sun, possibly tempting some to try and see it as a speck of light by blocking out the dazzling disk of the sun with their thumb or outstretched hand. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for tempt

• empt
• attempt
• contempt
• exempt
• preempt
• unkempt
• nonexempt

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