Synonyms for tempt
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Allure — to attract; to allure
allure, seduce, attract, beckon, beguile, cajole, charm, bewitch, captivate, engage, fascinate, draw, draw on, interest, decoy, court, entrance, inveigle, enrapture, entrap, delight, enchant
2. Induce — to provoke something; to court
induce, provoke, persuade, motivate, urge, rouse, prompt, incite, instigate, dispose, incline, foment, egg, excite, goad, stimulate, inflame, impel, stir up, evoke, quicken, stir
3. Entice — to provoke someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward; to entice
Definitions
- v. 1
To provoke someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward; to entice.
She tempted me to eat the apple.
- v. 2
To attract; to allure.
Its glossy skin tempted me.
- v. 3
To provoke something; to court.
It would be tempting fate.
Forms
- Past participle
- tempted
e.g. tempted → allured, seduced, attracted, beckoned…
Choose the right word
To tempt is to endeavor to lead one wrong; to seduce is to succeed in winning one from good to ill.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- attract Positive atomic nuclei attract negative electrons.
- seduce Robert tried to seduce Martha, but she rejected him.
- allure I will never understand the allure of wealth.
- beckon It was surprising to see the stranger beckon me over.
- persuade Will it do me any good to try to persuade him now?
- induce Moderate exercise in the evening helps induce sleep.
By length
- 3 letters
- egg1
- 4 letters
- draw1, urge1, stir1, lure1, coax1, goad1
- 5 letters
- court1, charm1, tease1, evoke2, rouse1, decoy2, impel2
- 6 letters
- engage2, invite2, prompt1, induce2, excite2, seduce2, allure2, incite2, entice2, pander2, beckon2, foment2, entrap2, cajole2
- 7 letters
- attract2, delight2, provoke2, dispose2, incline2, solicit3, quicken2, enchant2, inflame2, beguile2, bewitch2
- 8 letters
- interest2, entrance2, persuade2, motivate3, inveigle
- 9 letters
- influence3, stimulate3, instigate3, captivate3, fascinate3, enrapture3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (evoke2 = 2 syllables).