tempt

[tempt]

verb (used with object)

1. to entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.

2. to attract, appeal strongly to, or invite.

   The offer tempts me.

   Synonyms: persuade, incite, lure, induce, inveigle

3. to render strongly disposed to do something.

   The book tempted me to read more on the subject.

4. to put (someone) to the test in a venturesome way; provoke.

   to tempt one's fate.

5. Obsolete.,  to try or test.

tempt

/ tɛmpt /

verb

1. to attempt to persuade or entice to do something, esp something morally wrong or unwise

2. to allure, invite, or attract

3. to give rise to a desire in (someone) to do something; dispose

   their unfriendliness tempted me to leave the party

4. to risk provoking (esp in the phrase tempt fate )

Other Word Forms

• temptable adjective
• tempter noun
• pretempt verb (used with object)
• self-tempted adjective
• supertempt verb (used with object)
• untemptable adjective
• untempted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempt¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English from Latin temptāre “to probe, feel, test, tempt”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempt¹

C13: from Old French tempter, from Latin temptāre to test

Synonym Study

Tempt, seduce may both mean to allure or entice to something unwise or wicked. To tempt is to attract by holding out the probability of gratification or advantage, often in the direction of that which is wrong or unwise: to tempt a man with a bribe. To seduce is literally to lead astray, sometimes from that which absorbs one or demands attention, but oftener, in a moral sense, from rectitude, chastity, etc.: to seduce a person away from loyalty.

Example Sentences

Hopper had been tempted by "greed" said Mr Lee.

From BBC

It can be tempting to go faster to "get out of the way", but this can be dangerous.

From BBC

Funerals are expensive, Ms Schmitt says; many are tempted by the prospect of their body being taken away for free.

From BBC

“He’s busy, he’s working, he doesn’t have time for me,” she trills exasperatedly in “My Man on Willpower,” “My slutty pajamas not tempting him in the least.”

From Los Angeles Times

It could be tempting to describe the film as dystopian, but Lanthimos doesn't think that quite hits the mark.

From BBC

Related Words

• appeal to www.thesaurus.com
• attract 
• captivate 
• charm 
• dare 
• fascinate 
• induce 
• intrigue 
• invite 
• motivate 
• persuade 
• seduce 
• stimulate 
• tantalize 
• woo