tempt

/tɛm(p)t/

/tɛmpt/

Other forms: tempted; tempting; tempts

To tempt is to lure or entice. You might tempt your runaway dog back inside with pieces of cheese.

The verb tempt often has negative implications: "Don't let those bullies tempt you into picking on smaller kids!" When something tempts you, it's often with the knowledge that it's not the best idea, however attractive it might be. Tempt was originally a religious term, meaning "to entice to evil or sin," while today it's more likely to be a slice of cake that tempts us than the devil.

Definitions of tempt

1. verb

   dispose or incline or entice to
   “We were tempted by the delicious-looking food”

   synonyms: allure

   type of:

   bid, invite

   ask someone in a friendly way to do something
2. verb

   provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
   synonyms: entice, lure

   types:

   hook, snare

   entice and trap

   seduce

   lure or entice away from duty, principles, or proper conduct

   call

   lure by imitating the characteristic call of an animal

   stool

   lure with a stool, as of wild fowl

   lead on

   entice or induce especially when unwise or mistaken

   tweedle

   entice through the use of music

   decoy

   lure or entrap with or as if with a decoy

   bait

   lure, entice, or entrap with bait

   type of:

   provoke, stimulate

   provide the needed stimulus for
3. verb

   give rise to a desire by being attractive or inviting
   “the window displays tempted the shoppers”

   synonyms: invite

   type of:

   excite, shake, shake up, stimulate, stir

   stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of
4. verb

   induce into action by using one's charm
   synonyms: charm, influence

   types:

   bewitch, magnetise, magnetize, mesmerise, mesmerize, spellbind

   attract strongly, as if with a magnet

   type of:

   persuade

   cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm
5. verb

   try to seduce
   type of:

   arouse, excite, sex, turn on, wind up

   stimulate sexually
6. verb

   try presumptuously
   “St. Anthony was tempted in the desert”

   type of:

   persuade

   cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm