to tempt

Examples

• All

• Money will remain vulnerable to politicians who may be tempted to use it to purchase consent.

  Academic text (1990)

• Could that person even be tempted to do the wrong thing?

  Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

• Now you may be tempted to say, hold on a second, guys.

• I was tempted to say no, but I think we should go.

  Dream Scenario (2023)

• It's hard to go through life these days and not be tempted by drama.

• Not even its oil and gas reserves have tempted foreign companies to invest significantly in Iran.

  Academic text (2008)

• We felt basically invincible and we were tempted to launch a pre-order campaign.

  Linus Tech Tips

• She was tempted to buy the latest smartphone despite its high price.

• It's easy to be tempted by unhealthy snacks when they're right in front of you.

• He felt tempted to skip his workout after a long day at work.

Synonyms

C

to convince

vsto tempt

∞ 2.7

Make someone believe something is true or agree to do something

adds an element of attraction and possible wrongdoing to the persuasive act

I

to influence

vsto tempt

591 2.2

To change how people and things think, act, or develop

is a deliberate attempt to attract someone to a specific, often unwise action

P

to persuade

vsto tempt

472 2.7

To make someone agree or do something by giving reasons

leans more on making an action seem enticing rather than logical reasons

L

to lure

vsto tempt

270 3.7

To get someone to do something by offering a reward or making false promises

tries to persuade by making the act seem attractive, often wrong or unwise

E

to entice

vsto tempt

61 4.9

To persuade someone to do something by offering something they want

focuses on making the act seem attractive, not just offering appeal

S

to seduce

vsto tempt

53 5.9

Persuade someone to give up duties or beliefs by offering something attractive

is more general, covering any enticing appeal, not only moral abandonment

I

to induce

vsto tempt

51 4.9

Persuade someone to do something

specifically seeks to make an action seem attractive or inviting, sometimes wrong

C

to cajole

vsto tempt

15 7.7

To persuade someone to do something by gentle talk and praise

often implies attraction toward a wrong or unwise action rather than gentle coaxing

S

to solicit

vsto tempt

• NSFW

7 7.7

Urge someone to do something illegal

is broader, applying to tempting toward wrong acts or general unwise choices

A

to allure

vsto tempt

6 6.5

To attract someone by using charm

adds an attempt to persuade someone to do something, not just attract

T

to tantalize

vsto tempt

6 7.4

To show something nice to someone and keep it just out of reach

aims to persuade someone to act by making the act itself attractive

B

to beguile

vsto tempt

4 8.4

To attract and charm someone while tricking them

targets persuasion by making an action seem attractive, not only charming

D

to dangle a carrot

vsto tempt

• Informal

1 4.4

Offer a small reward to make someone do something

uses attractiveness or invitation rather than explicit reward promises

U

to use a carrot

vsto tempt

• Informal

4.2

Offer a reward to encourage someone to do something

relies on making the action seem inviting rather than only rewarding it

Antonyms

D

to dissuade

35 6.0

To try to stop someone from doing something by talking to them

Phrasal Verbs

T

to tempt fate

• Informal

9 7.3

Take an unnecessary risk that might cause bad luck

How Persuasive

to seduce

• NSFW

39 4.1

to entice

61 4.9

to tempt

146 3.3

to coax

54 4.1

to encourage

∞ 2.3

to suggest

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

Etymology