tempt fate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To blithely swivel so much concrete out into space, and in earthquake country, seems to tempt fate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

With California's population near 40 million, the need for housing has prompted builders to tempt fate by erecting homes in fire-prone areas.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2025

"And because the U.S. has yet to display the growth infirmities of the rest of the world, the U.S. stands apart, and the Fed has signalled that it can tempt fate."

From Reuters • Sep. 25, 2023

The red foam fingers sat propped on every seat of Galen Center’s lower bowl, each flashing three digits, as if to tempt fate.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2023

You don’t tempt fate, you ignore it completely.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee