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
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Recent Examples of tempted
After failing to score in three consecutive league games, Farke must be tempted to tweak the system.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
After 48 years of unsuccessful politicking, one might be tempted to call the idea of indexing capital gains a certified washout.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Raúl and the men dressed in ghoulish black tempted him with alcohol.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
These laid-back, flowy palazzo pants come in over 20 colorways and are so easy to move in, you’ll be tempted to wear them every day.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
You’re tempted to cut off a crush as Mercury meets Mars.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
With Luna gliding into your ever-practical 6th house, you may be tempted to ignore your inner needs in favor of getting as much done as possible.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
When the lieutenant governor faced those challenges, he was tempted to crack jokes.
—Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2026
Don’t be tempted to take an earlier exit, even though signs along I-10 will boast the finest boils in the state.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
After 48 years of unsuccessful politicking, one might be tempted to call the idea of indexing capital gains a certified washout.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Raúl and the men dressed in ghoulish black tempted him with alcohol.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
These laid-back, flowy palazzo pants come in over 20 colorways and are so easy to move in, you’ll be tempted to wear them every day.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
You’re tempted to cut off a crush as Mercury meets Mars.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
With Luna gliding into your ever-practical 6th house, you may be tempted to ignore your inner needs in favor of getting as much done as possible.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
When the lieutenant governor faced those challenges, he was tempted to crack jokes.
—Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2026
Don’t be tempted to take an earlier exit, even though signs along I-10 will boast the finest boils in the state.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempted
Verb
-
That modest notoriety, combined with the macabre nature of the deed and its unsolved status for decades, lured the filmmaker into an extended investigation — the end result being this feature.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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According to the charging documents, two security guards were lured outside by the sound of explosives into the line of fire, and an Alvarado Police Department officer who was at the scene answering a disturbance call was shot in the neck but survived.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In fact, the project, whose premise depended on sustaining a false reality for one unknowing star, inherently risked self-destruction.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
An American, Israeli and British creative team is coming together to forge a timely doc about an Iranian judo star who defied government orders and risked everything to compete against an Israeli rival.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sammy, a troubled 13-year-old, secretly enlists against his mother’s wishes — seduced by promises of purpose, patriotism, and notoriety.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
-
They were shocked and horrified—and yet entirely seduced.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While no moon landing is in store for the mission, the crew will test systems and hardware for future expeditions to the surface while traveling about 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon – the farthest humans have ever ventured in space.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
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However, with record-breaking early and mail voting, deputy clerk of elections Edmund Michalowski ventured total votes this election would surmount the June 2022 primary.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carr allegedly groomed the boy and enticed him into sharing nude video and photo images.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Google and Range Media Partners are getting serious about microdramas — and have enticed some heavyweight Hollywood producers to make these bite-sized stories for them.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The jury appears to have been persuaded by prosecutors’ argument that the defendants were members of an antifa cell connected to an ideology that calls for the overthrow of the government.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
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Jorge Perez, who has helped shape South Florida’s skyline as Related’s founder and CEO, had to be persuaded to invest in the town named for a fish.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempted. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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