Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

tempt

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms 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 of tempt

allure, bait, beguile, betray, decoy, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, solicit
Words Related to tempt

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 of tempt

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 of tempt

adventure, chance, gamble (on), hazard, risk, venture
Words Related to tempt

beard, brave, brazen, breast, challenge, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave

compromise, endanger, imperil, jeopardize, menace

expose, subject

bet (on), wager
Phrases Synonymous with tempt

run the risk of

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about tempt

  1. Dictionary: Definition of tempt Spanish Central: Translation of tempt Nglish: Translation of tempt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tempt for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up tempt? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games