tempt
to entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.
to attract, appeal strongly to, or invite: The offer tempts me.
to render strongly disposed to do something: The book tempted me to read more on the subject.
to put (someone) to the test in a venturesome way; provoke: to tempt one's fate.
Obsolete. to try or test.
Origin of tempt
1synonym study For tempt
Other words for tempt
Other words from tempt
- tempt·a·ble, adjective
- pre·tempt, verb (used with object)
- self-tempted, adjective
- su·per·tempt, verb (used with object)
- un·tempt·a·ble, adjective
- un·tempt·ed, adjective
Words Nearby tempt
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use tempt in a sentence
Depending on how long it’s been on your face, you may crave a “mask break” and be tempted to take it off.
Why you shouldn’t ever wear your mask around your neck | Erin Fennessy | February 11, 2021 | Popular-ScienceIdeally, your mask should fit comfortably enough that you aren’t tempted to fidget with it and snugly enough that it stays in place for long periods of time.
The Chiefs might be tempted to use some two-tight-end formations to give Mahomes more time to throw.
Considering that outgoing Lions general manager Bob Quinn had dealt away the team’s sixth- and seventh-round picks, more help this year had to have been tempting.
The Ward message was a warning for any of the Republicans in the Senate who may be tempted to follow suit in the upcoming trial.
No, Trumpism Isn’t Over. Look at What Just Happened in Arizona | Philip Elliott | January 25, 2021 | Time
He says certain books, and even scary Halloween horror movies, tempt people to the devil.
Pope Francis Gives Blessing to Exorcist Conference | Barbie Latza Nadeau | October 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSmall things about every day that tempt people, we wanted to find out what they were.
Michael B. Jordan: Playing a Black Superhero in 'Fantastic Four' Is a 'Huge Responsibility' | Kevin Fallon | September 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTYou can never know who can become a spy for the enemy if you have enough means to pressure him, to blackmail him, to tempt him.
Edison-bulb chandeliers and other treasures tempt you from the display windows of The Paris Market.
Yes, high limits tempt politicians to squeeze donors mercilessly for money.
The Answer to the McCutcheon Decision Is More Big Money in Politics | Jonathan Rauch | April 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI cannot believe that a good God would create or tolerate a Devil, nor that he would allow the Devil to tempt man.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordThey used to tell us that this good God allowed a Devil to come on earth and tempt man to his ruin.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordArobin pulled off his coat, and expressed himself ready and willing to tempt fate in her place.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinWe never keep ony thing o' value in the house, to tempt them sort o' chaps, wi' a bank so near.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieNevertheless some companies have a fine record, enough to tempt them to continue notwithstanding their trying reverses.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
British Dictionary definitions for tempt
/ (tɛmpt) /
to attempt to persuade or entice to do something, esp something morally wrong or unwise
to allure, invite, or attract
to give rise to a desire in (someone) to do something; dispose: their unfriendliness tempted me to leave the party
to risk provoking (esp in the phrase tempt fate)
Origin of tempt
1Derived forms of tempt
- temptable, adjective
- tempter, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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