Definitions

tempt

[tempt] / tɛmpt /

VERB

lure, entice

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

allure bait coax court decoy draw entrap honey up hook incite influence instigate inveigle move oil promote provoke risk rouse solicit test train try wheedle whet

WEAK

butter up draw out lead on make mouth water mousetrap play up to turn one's head

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore depress discourage disenchant dissuade hinder offend prevent repel repulse

STRONG

delight deter dishearten dull halt please reject release stop turn off

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.

Record-holder Anderson, 38, thought his racing days were over until Kopke approached him to tempt him out of retirement this year.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

While West is not trying to become Labour leader herself, she could tempt others to launch a leadership bid.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

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

Indian stocks, still at higher multiples than emerging market peers, need to fall by 20% to tempt global investors back, Budaghyan estimates.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

He unfastened the bell and put it way back in the cash register drawer, next to Mama’s earring, so it wouldn’t tempt anyone else.

From "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden

Vocabulary lists containing tempt

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