1
as in seduces
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risks
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
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Recent Examples of tempts
Daniel’s presence is but one of many not-so-subtle ways Lestat tempts Louis back into his life.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2026
Doue and Dembele also drop into midfield, while Kvaratskhelia is his usual destructive self off the left, rounding off a nightmare of rotations and raw running power that tempts defences out of their shape before smashing through.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Frida is the most significant secondary figure — the person who tempts Gabrielle away from her trajectory, making her pause and ponder roads not taken.
—Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.
—Jorge Ebro
may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
The casino now resides in many homes and daily tempts the occupants.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Their taste runs so deeply Hollywood, their references so opulent and cinematic, that even a drink tray—in its cream lacquer and chrome border—tempts a standing ovation.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
If a purchase tempts you, say your budget aloud, then choose the upgrade that truly supports daily life.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Like its predecessor, nearly every second of A Wave That Will Never Break tempts skepticism, albeit an inversion of that which WU LYF once inspired.
—Ian Cohen, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2026
Doue and Dembele also drop into midfield, while Kvaratskhelia is his usual destructive self off the left, rounding off a nightmare of rotations and raw running power that tempts defences out of their shape before smashing through.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Frida is the most significant secondary figure — the person who tempts Gabrielle away from her trajectory, making her pause and ponder roads not taken.
—Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.
—Jorge Ebro
may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
The casino now resides in many homes and daily tempts the occupants.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Their taste runs so deeply Hollywood, their references so opulent and cinematic, that even a drink tray—in its cream lacquer and chrome border—tempts a standing ovation.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
If a purchase tempts you, say your budget aloud, then choose the upgrade that truly supports daily life.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Like its predecessor, nearly every second of A Wave That Will Never Break tempts skepticism, albeit an inversion of that which WU LYF once inspired.
—Ian Cohen, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempts
Verb
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Content risks Nagata points to types of content seen on social media that can influence the decision to experiment with substances — especially at a young age.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
Their films’ starkness has potentially overwhelming power but also risks foregrounding flaws of judgment and finish.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Named for the English resort city of Bath, Bath County entices visitors to slow down and connect with nature.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Southern Living,
27 May 2026
-
In a European women’s football ecosystem that still relies predominantly on the beneficence of men’s football, Kang’s bullishness to put her money where her mouth is naturally entices.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The pressure to prove yourself is on when the Leo moon confronts Mars.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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The fifth installment confronts the all-too-real reality that kids would rather play with screens than action figures.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Sure, Antarctica has penguins, but the Arctic lures travelers north with polar bears and walruses, especially in the remote Svalbard archipelago.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 June 2026
-
This particular market lures in people from all across the region, numbering as many as 3,500 on summer days.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The entity warns a sleepwalking Donnie that the world will end in approximately 28 days and subsequently persuades him to carry out an escalating series of crimes in his community.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
-
In an underdeveloped twist, Clark persuades his skeptical assistant, Kat (Lukita Maxwell), and her more gullible boyfriend, Bobby (Finn Bennett), to enter the Backrooms with him, armed with Bobby’s camcorder.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The anxiety that expanding representation will displace Lincoln or Washington betrays a curious fragility.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
-
The Ghoul betrays Lucy during the journey, but does, eventually redeem himself, somewhat.—
The Deadline Team,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempts. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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