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
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
The moon’s clash with Venus tempts you to diminish your worth.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
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
The moon’s clash with Venus tempts you to diminish your worth.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 12 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
-
The dose also matters, meaning someone with alpha-gal risks a bigger reaction by eating a large amount of red meat.—
Eva Flowe
May 29,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Or Gonzalez fully holds out and risks fines.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This fast-growing shrub entices pollinators and birds and is deer and rabbit resistent.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Unspoken fears or doubts shape your expression as Venus confronts Saturn.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Abdullah was armed and patrolling the house of worship on a routine Monday morning because leaders of the mosque have long recognized the threat their community confronts due to the rise in hate crimes.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Kee's, a 71-seat neo-bistro, lures both locals and guests for European-meets-Pan-Asian cooking.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The taco de camarón is what lures diners and keeps them returning.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The product being optimised is your attention, and the people refining that optimisation have budgets, behavioural scientists, and years of data on what persuades you.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Below, Akinnuoye-Agbaje breaks down the climactic episode, explaining why Alamo decides to let Rue kill herself and why Bishop betrays him.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
This seemingly innocent proposal betrays how little some politicians think of American seniors.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempts. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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