tempting 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of temptingnext
as in enticing

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tempting

2 of 3

noun

as in seduction

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tempting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of tempt
1
as in luring
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risking
to take a chance on refusing to lay in enough food for the long winter tempts the dangers of starvation

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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 tempting
Adjective
While a quick reopening of the strait and a resumption of talks over Tehran’s nuclear program could be tempting to Trump, obstacles remain. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026 Shop these 50 tempting outlet deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days now. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
In the same way that Christ fasted to resist the tempting of the biblical adversary, many Christians are also called to fast and give up the temptations of their daily lives during Lent. — Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Be honest about what’s irritating or tempting you, because something’s got to give! — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 As the attacker brings the ball forward, Tielemans, from a screening role, bides his time, tempting the attacker forward before jumping in to win the ball. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tempting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempting
  1. enticing
  2. seduction
  3. luring
  4. risking
  5. tantalizing
  6. exhortation
  7. seducing
  8. alluring
Adjective
  • The Studio will offer an even more enticing experience, with an assortment of more than 1,600 products across 90 prestige, emerging and global brands featured.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
  • There are six coaches in new roles entering the season, including Dallas' Dusty May — who led Michigan to the NCAA title last spring and then found an offer to jump to the NBA with the Mavs too enticing to turn down.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of enticing
Noun
  • Collections this week were versatile, taking the client from day to evening with a sense of seduction and confidence.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Each scene is about secrets, hypocrisy or some form of seduction.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of seduction
Verb
  • North Korea hasn't publicly commented on the transfer but has previously claimed major defections of its citizens were the result of South Korea abducting them or luring them to flee.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • So what is now luring companies to Dallas and this new exchange, in the eyes of someone with long-standing roots in the community?
    — Ian Thomas, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of luring
Verb
  • De-risking means making the pilot realistic enough to produce evidence that leaders can trust.
    — Manjot Pal, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Associated Press NAGOYA, Japan -- NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Alex Eala is prioritizing representing the Philippines at the Asian Games over the WTA Tour for the moment — even if that means risking a fine from the women’s tour.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of risking
Adjective
  • Mitchell also spoke of the tantalizing defensive possibilities with a roster featuring Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and himself.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • This has told them that 3I/ATLAS contains more nitrogen than the typical comet from our own solar system — revealing a tantalizing clue about how the strange comet formed.
    — Rahul Rao, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of tantalizing
Noun
  • Duckworth also faced backlash from critics who argued that her message was, at best, a series of hollow exhortations to simply try harder and, at worst, an insidious form of victim-blaming that ignored structural inequality.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • His character is a severe, hectoring figure; his lessons amount to an exhortation to be as mean as possible when money is concerned.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhortation
Verb
  • Adva Lavie, an OnlyFans model, already is facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County for allegedly seducing and stealing from rich men.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Still, with more than 40,000 industry jobs lost in the past few years, soundstages and vendor storefronts sitting empty, and lucrative overseas incentives seducing even more production away, things are bleak in town right now.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of seducing
Adjective
  • Like its agricultural and horticultural counterparts, the monoculture of era-defining music, TV and movies seemed alluring on the surface.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Rarely exhibited and here remade with another Trans Am as MBD_Trans Am (2026), the piece is paired with an ominous booming sound that is both alluring and repellent.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of alluring

Browse Nearby Words

tempters
tempting
temptingly
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Cite this Entry

“Tempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempting. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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