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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tempted
So its understandable that you might be tempted to let mom handle your daughters' education and support during menstruation.
—
Christian Dashiell, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Would he be tempted to go in that direction and also get shiny objects?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
As a common world fades from view, many in the old establishment with previously lofty commitments to truth, fairness, and justice are tempted to reestablish control of a system whose new workings violate ethical taboos.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
You might be tempted to crack jokes to break the tension, but sometimes that intensity is necessary.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
This one might sound obvious, but some of us might be tempted to skip the clean and go straight to the polish when time is a factor.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Don’t be tempted to turn the patties over more than once or press on the meat because the moisture will seep out.
—The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Europeans can be tempted to believe that increasing defense budgets will be enough to defend Europe in the absence of the United States.
—Ivan Krastev, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Whatever you’re tempted to look at?
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Jan. 2026
Christian Dashiell, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Would he be tempted to go in that direction and also get shiny objects?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
As a common world fades from view, many in the old establishment with previously lofty commitments to truth, fairness, and justice are tempted to reestablish control of a system whose new workings violate ethical taboos.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
You might be tempted to crack jokes to break the tension, but sometimes that intensity is necessary.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
This one might sound obvious, but some of us might be tempted to skip the clean and go straight to the polish when time is a factor.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Don’t be tempted to turn the patties over more than once or press on the meat because the moisture will seep out.
—The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Europeans can be tempted to believe that increasing defense budgets will be enough to defend Europe in the absence of the United States.
—Ivan Krastev, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Whatever you’re tempted to look at?
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempted
Verb
-
Especially after Brexit, Milan has become the destination of choice for millionaires lured by the 2017 change in Italian tax policies, which features a 7% flat tax for retirees and new residents on foreign income.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the majority stakeholder of LIV Golf, quickly lured away some of the former top stars on the PGA Tour by offering them massive deals, including Koepka, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Cameron Smith.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Millions of student loan borrowers in default risked seeing their wages garnished and tax refunds seized as debt collection involving tax refunds and wages resumed.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
McAuliffe risked her life so that children could learn about space.—
Harvey Young,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Then, the spectacle in Paris seduced the world once more as only the Olympic Games and the City of Light could, as events unfolded beneath an Eiffel Tower that went twinkle-twinkle every night.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Daily Dividend Research and consulting firm Brand Finance found Tesla’s brand suffered last year as CEO Elon Musk ventured further into politics.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Congress has also ventured into the sphere, which would be a much larger aim at AI for all kinds of uses, but nothing has gotten to a formative stage.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An Associated Press investigation found that unwitting Bangladeshi workers were enticed to Russia under the false promise of civilian work before being thrown into combat in Ukraine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
An Associated Press investigation found that unwitting Bangladeshi workers were enticed to Russia under the false promise of civilian work before being thrown into combat in Ukraine.—
Kamila Hrabchuk,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Primary schools and universities were scouted for talent, training sessions with girls from age eight upwards were organised, and parents were persuaded that their daughters should play, despite traditional restrictions in Qatar on girls and women taking part in football.—
Adam Leventhal,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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The possibilities persuaded Malinin to apply himself more seriously.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempted. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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