tempt
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- allure
- bait
- beguile
- betray
- decoy
- entice
- lead on
- lure
- seduce
- solicit
Example Sentences
Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 8 June 2022 The parent plans to float up to 25% of the equity in ThyssenKrupp Nucera, a leading supplier of machinery needed to produce the gas, and aims to tempt sustainably-minded investors with a growing order book already worth €900 million. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2022 Rustic picnic tables and sandstone blocks placed at intervals along these trails tempt hikers to sit for a spell. Rich Heileman, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 Sharp discounts at Gap should tempt customers, but perhaps not investors. Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Both the talking fox Honest John (Keegan-Michael Key) and the terrifying Coachman (Luke Evans) tempt Pinocchio from the path of goodness. Christian Holub, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Feeling isolated could tempt you to run away from your problems today. Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2022 Did Coinbase tempt the fates with last week’s veiled attack on the Securities and Exchange Commission? Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 26 July 2022 So not just any project could tempt her away from her home life. Linda Marx, PEOPLE.com, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
Middle English tempten "to test, incite to sin, attempt," borrowed from Anglo-French tempter, temter, tenter, going back to Latin temptāre, tentāre "to feel, test, examine, attempt, make an assault on, attack" (Late Latin, "to incite to sin"), perhaps frequentative derivative from an Indo-European verbal base *temp- "stretch, extend" (hence, "grope for, feel") — more at tempo
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing tempt
Kids Definition
tempt
verb
tempt
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- lure
- seduce
- entice
- persuade
- betray
- beguile
- bait
- allure
- fascinate
- solicit
- trap
- decoy
- enchant
- lead on
- inveigle
- entrap
- ensnare
- catch
- enmesh
- captivate
- snow
- draw in
- bewitch
- snare
- tangle
- mesh
- charm
- wile
- magnetize
- immesh
- rope (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- warn
- alert
- caution
- ward (off)
- forewarn
- drive (away or off)
- turn away
- repulse
Synonyms & Similar Words
- risk
- chance
- confront
- venture
- hazard
- adventure
- dare
- endanger
- imperil
- brave
- jeopardize
- brazen
- gamble (on)
- subject
- face
- compromise
- run the risk of
- breast
- challenge
- outbrave
- defy
- wager
- menace
- expose
- beard
- bet (on)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of tempt are decoy, entice, inveigle, lure, and seduce. While all these words mean "to lead astray from one's true course," tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.
The words decoy and tempt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice.
While the synonyms entice and tempt are close in meaning, entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means.
The words inveigle and tempt can be used in similar contexts, but inveigle implies enticing by cajoling or flattering.
Although the words lure and tempt have much in common, lure implies a drawing into danger, evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving.
The synonyms seduce and tempt are sometimes interchangeable, but seduce implies a leading astray by persuasion or false promises.