tempting

adjective

tempt·​ing ˈtem(p)-tiŋ How to pronounce tempting (audio)
: having an appeal : enticing
a tempting offer
temptingly adverb

Examples of tempting in a Sentence

The desserts look very tempting. It is tempting to think of him as the next American president.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chasing what’s hot will always seem tempting. Steve Booren, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025 Yes, growth is tempting — launching podcasts, videos, new products — but every expansion dilutes focus. Big Think, 16 Oct. 2025 Carolina is aiming for its first winning record through seven games since 2019, but can’t afford overconfidence, with winless NYJ a desperate, tempting home ‘dog. Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 That should be a very tempting target for bettors this week, because the 23XI Racing cars seemingly had the same speed as the JGR cars. Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tempting

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of tempt

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tempting was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempting. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tempting

adjective
tempt·​ing ˈtem(p)-tiŋ How to pronounce tempting (audio)
: having a strong attraction
the food all looked tempting
temptingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tempting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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