tempting

American  

[temp-ting] / ˈtɛmp tɪŋ /

adjective

1. that tempts; enticing or inviting.

   Synonyms:

   seductive, alluring, attractive

   Antonyms:

   repellent

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tempting British  

/ ˈtɛmptɪŋ /

adjective

1. attractive or inviting

   a tempting meal

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Other Word Forms

• temptingly adverb
• temptingness noun
• untempting adjective
• untemptingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of tempting

First recorded in 1540–50; tempt + -ing ²

Explanation

Anything that's tempting makes you excited or interested, like a tempting chocolate doughnut or a tempting offer to go to the movies instead of doing your chores. An invitation or offer that intrigues you is tempting—even if it might ultimately be a bad idea. It's tempting to skip school and spend the afternoon at the beach, but it's wiser to avoid the temptation. People commonly describe food they feel is bad for them as tempting. This sense of something that's both harmful and attractive comes from the original meaning of tempt, "entice to evil or sin."

Example Sentences

While it’s tempting to imagine what you could afford to spend your money on without these payments, it’s best not to act on that impulse.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

It’s tempting to advise investors to buy the dip.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

I tell this story as a word of caution, because it can be very tempting to treat spring cleaning as an opportunity to reorganize your kitchen entirely.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

Nvidia’s sky-high gross profit margins of more than 70% also make the company a tempting target for challengers that feel they can underprice the leader.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

I can tell, because she is tempting me toward the door with a trail of tiny marshmallows.

From "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

Related Words

• appetizing
• attractive
• enticing
• fascinating
• heavenly
• intriguing
• seductive
• tantalizing