tempt
verb
ˈtem(p)t 
tempted; tempting; tempts
transitive verb
1
: to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain
2
a
: to induce to do something
b
: to cause to be strongly inclined
was tempted to call it quits
3
a
: to try presumptuously : provoke
tempt fate
b
: to risk the dangers of
c
obsolete : to make trial of : test
temptable
ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
- allure
- bait
- beguile
- betray
- decoy
- entice
- lead on
- lure
- seduce
- solicit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
that chocolate dessert sure tempts me, but I should stick with my diet refusing to lay in enough food for the long winter tempts the dangers of starvation
Recent Examples on the Web On has been on the rise as a running shoe, but, no need to tempt dad with actual running. 
Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 8 June 2022 The parent plans to float up to 25% of the equity in ThyssenKrupp Nucera, a leading supplier of machinery needed to produce the gas, and aims to tempt sustainably-minded investors with a growing order book already worth €900 million. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2022 Rustic picnic tables and sandstone blocks placed at intervals along these trails tempt hikers to sit for a spell. Rich Heileman, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 Sharp discounts at Gap should tempt customers, but perhaps not investors. Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Both the talking fox Honest John (Keegan-Michael Key) and the terrifying Coachman (Luke Evans) tempt Pinocchio from the path of goodness. Christian Holub, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Feeling isolated could tempt you to run away from your problems today. Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2022 Did Coinbase tempt the fates with last week’s veiled attack on the Securities and Exchange Commission? Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 26 July 2022 So not just any project could tempt her away from her home life. Linda Marx, PEOPLE.com, 6 July 2022 See More
Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 8 June 2022 The parent plans to float up to 25% of the equity in ThyssenKrupp Nucera, a leading supplier of machinery needed to produce the gas, and aims to tempt sustainably-minded investors with a growing order book already worth €900 million. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2022 Rustic picnic tables and sandstone blocks placed at intervals along these trails tempt hikers to sit for a spell. Rich Heileman, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 Sharp discounts at Gap should tempt customers, but perhaps not investors. Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Both the talking fox Honest John (Keegan-Michael Key) and the terrifying Coachman (Luke Evans) tempt Pinocchio from the path of goodness. Christian Holub, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Feeling isolated could tempt you to run away from your problems today. Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2022 Did Coinbase tempt the fates with last week’s veiled attack on the Securities and Exchange Commission? Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 26 July 2022 So not just any project could tempt her away from her home life. Linda Marx, PEOPLE.com, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English tempten "to test, incite to sin, attempt," borrowed from Anglo-French tempter, temter, tenter, going back to Latin temptāre, tentāre "to feel, test, examine, attempt, make an assault on, attack" (Late Latin, "to incite to sin"), perhaps frequentative derivative from an Indo-European verbal base *temp- "stretch, extend" (hence, "grope for, feel") — more at tempo
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing tempt
Kids Definition
tempt
verb
ˈtempt
tempted; tempting
: to consider or cause to consider doing something wrong or unwise
Sometimes in nice weather, she is tempted to skip school.
He tempted me to cheat.
temptable
adjective
as in corrupt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- corrupt
- corrupted
- degraded
- evil
- depraved
- perverted
- warped
- nefarious
- sleazy
- sinful
- iniquitous
- debased
- degenerate
- vitiated
- debauched
- unscrupulous
- vicious
- bad
- perverse
- immoral
- demoralized
- wicked
- dissipated
- dissolute
- reprobate
- unethical
- unprincipled
- defiled
- dishonest
- unmoral
- cutthroat
- dirty
- corruptible
- crooked
- bribable
- venal
- purchasable
- Machiavellian
- hack
- mercenary
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- incorruptible
- good
- ethical
- honest
- scrupulous
- moral
- righteous
- virtuous
- upright
- principled