tempting

[ temp-ting ]

adjective

1. that tempts; enticing or inviting.

   Synonyms: seductive, alluring, attractive

   Antonyms: repellent

tempting

/ ˈtɛmptɪŋ /

adjective

1. attractive or inviting

   a tempting meal

Derived Forms

• ˈtemptingness, noun
• ˈtemptingly, adverb

Other Words From

• tempting·ly adverb
• tempting·ness noun
• un·tempting adjective
• un·tempting·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempting¹

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

Example Sentences

It's a tempting fiction because it allows progressives to feel a measure of control over the situation.

From Salon

Responding to this question with my desired outcome is perhaps naive, a little like tempting fate with my refusal to let myself commit intellectually to the alternative.

From Slate

Blind boxes are in high demand: The packages are sealed and contain a random product from a collection, injecting an element of surprise and tempting customers to buy boxes over and over until they get the exact figure they want.

From Los Angeles Times

Savory or sweet, spicy or safe, these delicious and terribly tempting treats will give you delicious ideas … just like the show does.

From Los Angeles Times

It may be tempting to dismiss the possibility that a rarely enforced 18th-century law that specifically provides that it can only be used when there is “a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government” could be employed to deploy the military on U.S. soil to seize, detain, and deport immigrants.

From Slate

Related Words

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