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tempt
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- pronunciation:
- tempt
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
tempts, tempting, tempted |
| definition 1: |
to entice or try to entice (someone) to do something unwise or wrong, as by promising pleasure or reward.
His friends tempted him to skip class with them, but he refused.Please don't tempt me with your delicious desserts!- synonyms:
- allure, entice, lure, seduce
- antonyms:
- deter, discourage
- similar words:
- attract, bait, bewitch, charm, fascinate, invite, solicit, spellbind, tantalize, titillate
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| definition 2: |
to be attractive or strongly appealing to.
The idea of a swim right now tempts me.- synonyms:
- appeal to, attract, beckon
- antonyms:
- repel
- similar words:
- allure, call, draw, enchant, entice, excite, invite, lure
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| definition 3: |
to provoke or put to the test.
Such recklessness tempts fate.- synonyms:
- ask for, court, invite, risk
- similar words:
- bait, flirt with, incite, provoke
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| definition 4: |
to cause to be strongly inclined or disposed.
I was tempted to reply to their rudeness.- synonyms:
- motivate, move
- similar words:
- dispose, goad, incline, inspire, prick, prod, prompt
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| related words: |
accost, appeal, bribe, decoy, interest, mislead, pull, tease |
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| derivation: |
temptable (adj.) |
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