1
as in lured
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
that chocolate dessert sure tempts me, but I should stick with my diet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risked
to take a chance on
refusing to lay in enough food for the long winter tempts the dangers of starvation
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Recent Examples of tempted
You’d have been tempted to say it was meant to be.
—
Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Alternatively, you may be tempted to toss items that could have some monetary value.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
You may be tempted to splurge on a date, concert ticket or impulse buy just to feel something.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
At $27, I may even be tempted to buy it in more than one of the beautiful colorways—wine red and coffee brown are at the top of my list.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
Even though you may be tempted, don't hold your potato slices in water prior to tossing.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Blumhouse-Atomic Monster CMO Karen Barragan closed with a caution for anyone tempted to get ahead of themselves.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Extra points for the chic white robes that you will be tempted to carry back home.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
While gardeners may be tempted to start planting early, Hilgert warned that cold snaps and snow are still possible through the end of April.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Alternatively, you may be tempted to toss items that could have some monetary value.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
You may be tempted to splurge on a date, concert ticket or impulse buy just to feel something.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
At $27, I may even be tempted to buy it in more than one of the beautiful colorways—wine red and coffee brown are at the top of my list.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
Even though you may be tempted, don't hold your potato slices in water prior to tossing.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Blumhouse-Atomic Monster CMO Karen Barragan closed with a caution for anyone tempted to get ahead of themselves.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Extra points for the chic white robes that you will be tempted to carry back home.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
While gardeners may be tempted to start planting early, Hilgert warned that cold snaps and snow are still possible through the end of April.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempted
Verb
-
The department, officials told The Times, also has lost several deputies to other nearby departments, lured with bonuses and better pay.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The prosecution showed the jurors chilling video and audio evidence that included Athena’s last moments after Horner lured her inside the FedEx van.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Based on the substance of the filing, that risked wasting future court resources, Kaplan determined.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
-
With No 1 Alisson unlikely to be risked after a month out with a hamstring injury and deputy Giorgi Mamardashvili sidelined due to a wound in his leg, Woodman is set to start after making his Liverpool league debut as a substitute in Sunday’s victory over Everton.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Onscreen, Andy was being seduced by a heavily jawed man with blond hair.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Every summer, stylish crowds congregate along France’s southeastern shores, seduced by the glamorous promise of the French Riviera, spending their days sipping overpriced cocktails at the high-end resorts that line its sandy beaches as if plucked straight from a Slim Aarons photo.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All the possible locations are further south than any of the Apollo astronauts landed or ventured, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Several more locations opened up across Colorado before the brand eventually ventured into a few other states (Arizona, Utah and beyond).—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It was billed as a conference of all opposition parties but media reports suggested that Obi, who remains popular with young voters and in the southeast, could be enticed out of the pact to run on a distinct platform.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
California’s fertile farm fields once enticed thousands of Dust Bowl refugees fleeing along Route 66 during the Great Depression.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That performance persuaded Combs to run Dust Commander 15 days later in the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass Stakes.—
Neil Milbert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
From there, partiers mingle in the lobby, pose for photographs on a red carpet, and search out any celebrities who have been persuaded to show up.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempted. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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