tempt
verb (used with object)
to entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.
had been tempting
-
past perfect progressiveof tempt.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It had been tempting to wonder exactly what kind of midfielder-in-the-making he is.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 16, 2020
The impulse to drop the May-Johnson bill's loop over the beast's head, tie him to the corral fence and scramble for cover had been tempting.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ruth flew to the little mountain stream, the dashing sound of whose waters had been tempting her, but a moment before, to seek forgetfulness in the deep pool into which they fell.
From Ruth by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
All day long the villages of Dalpe and Cornone had been tempting me, so I resolved to take them next day.
From Alps and Sanctuaries of Piedmont and the Canton Ticino by Samuel Butler
Of ghostly shadows, some of the way, That had been tempting us to play, Tho’ sure they must have known we should Be making all the haste we could!
From My Beautiful Lady. Nelly Dale by Henry Morley
