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.

He left our number, hoping the lure of a big sale might tempt Jaf himself to call back.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The teenager tossed one up to tempt opener Georgia Plimmer into hitting to mid-off for 20 in her second over and in her last had Green caught at long-on.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

Surprising events and negative news can always tempt investors into suddenly adopting radically different strategies: fast trading, market timing, ultrahigh dividends and other techniques that purportedly reduce risk or raise return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 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

Peddlers had come off the street to tempt the girls with ribbons and cheap jewelry.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

Vocabulary lists containing tempt

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