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

For an early to mid-career professional, it’s a tempting offer.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

It was a tempting offer at such a prestigious hoops powerhouse.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

“It is tempting to attribute polarization and war that occur in humans today to ethnic, religious or political divisions,” Sandel and his co-authors conclude.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

“While it may be tempting to jump into the beaten-down software group, at this point, you’re still catching a falling knife,” co-founders Paul Hickey and Justin Walters said in a blog post on Tuesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Mother was offering her a “get out of jail free” card, and, as tempting as that was, it seemed like cheating.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

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