1
as in lured
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 & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risked
to take a chance on
refusing to lay in enough food for the long winter tempts the dangers of starvation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of tempted
Don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to rewear it!
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
When revenues are trending upward, entrepreneurs can be tempted to reinvest all excess capital back into their businesses.
—
Rob Falzon,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Plus, you’ll be tempted to brag about saving $330 on Stuart Weitzman sandals and scoring platform slides for $30.
—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
United States manager Mauricio Pochettino could also be tempted to rest some of his best players given the USA are already certain to be group winners.
—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Barrel pants are an intimidating trend to get in on, but I've been tempted for months all the time.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
You may be tempted to make your way down to the beach at the bottom, but beware!
—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
21 June 2026
Fragrance Isn't the Answer You might be tempted to cover that smell.
—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
Burry said he had been tempted to bet against SpaceX, the rocket company owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
When revenues are trending upward, entrepreneurs can be tempted to reinvest all excess capital back into their businesses.
—
Rob Falzon,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Plus, you’ll be tempted to brag about saving $330 on Stuart Weitzman sandals and scoring platform slides for $30.
—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
United States manager Mauricio Pochettino could also be tempted to rest some of his best players given the USA are already certain to be group winners.
—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Barrel pants are an intimidating trend to get in on, but I've been tempted for months all the time.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
You may be tempted to make your way down to the beach at the bottom, but beware!
—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
21 June 2026
Fragrance Isn't the Answer You might be tempted to cover that smell.
—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
Burry said he had been tempted to bet against SpaceX, the rocket company owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempted
Verb
-
Police say the violence on Sydney’s streets is being orchestrated from abroad – and teenagers are being lured into the complex web of gang warfare with the promise of fast cash.
-
The victims told police that Arnold’s friends lured them to an apartment, held them at gunpoint and hit them, all the while streaming the attack to Arnold.
Verb
-
While trying to clarify the results of the report to reporters, Ballard also referenced the strength of the state’s case against Tyler Robinson – statements the judge on Friday found risked prejudicing the jury pool.
-
Dakar risked defaulting after the government uncovered billions of dollars in undisclosed debt by the previous leadership.
Verb
-
So instead of Syrax, the Blacks get close air support from Jace on Vermax and Moondancer, ridden by Baela, who is easily seduced into battle by Jace’s unchecked hero complex.
-
One class in, and Hannah is thoroughly seduced both by Melanie’s flattery and by her therapyspeak approach to acting, with its talk of truth-telling and connecting to one’s body.
Verb
-
To fill the silence, my son ventured a guess.
-
Young Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges all ventured to the Philadelphia suburbs to play college ball, met for the first time, and played together in one season, then rose to the top and won the NCAA Tournament in 2016.
Verb
-
Seen from the other side of the deal, that means that bond issuers must pay higher yields, or rates, for investors to be enticed to buy.
-
Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres.
Verb
-
Those massive market gains have persuaded stockholders to spend.
-
The 26-year-old midfielder was injured for the match in Minsk and reportedly only decided to take the flight as a last-minute decision after being persuaded to do so by his team-mates.
Cite this Entry
“Tempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempted. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
