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 )

Derived Forms

• ˈtemptable, adjective
• ˈtempter, noun

Other Words From

• tempta·ble adjective
• pre·tempt verb (used with object)
• self-tempted adjective
• super·tempt verb (used with object)
• un·tempta·ble adjective
• un·tempted 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

Friday night’s predicted low temperature of 51 degrees in Los Angeles might tempt some to light a cozy fall fire.

From Los Angeles Times

But could any club carrying a torch for the 52-year-old tempt him back - bar his beloved Real?

From BBC

Unlike a Harris administration, they would likely offer the UK a free trade deal, but it seems unlikely the terms of it would tempt London to sign up.

From BBC

The BBC understands conversations between the government and the company are ongoing to try to tempt them to turn up on Monday.

From BBC

I understand conversations between the government and the company are ongoing to try to tempt them to turn up on Monday.

From BBC

Related Words

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