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.

The menu is designed for sharing, though a few dishes may tempt you to keep them to yourself.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 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

More recently, another Hollywood offer did tempt her, but she ultimately passed.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 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

A quarter moon lay low in the west, not giving enough light to tempt anyone to stay up late.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Vocabulary lists containing tempt

Achievement First 5th Grade IA 1 Words

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Other Words for Home

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Promises to Keep

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!