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tempt
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- pronunciation:
- tempt
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
tempts, tempting, tempted |
| definition 1: |
to entice or try to entice (someone) to do something unwise or wrong, as by promising pleasure or reward.
His friends tempted him to skip class with them, but he refused.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive
]
Please don't tempt me with your delicious desserts!- synonyms:
- allure, entice, lure, seduce
- antonyms:
- deter, discourage
- similar words:
- attract, bait, bewitch, charm, fascinate, invite, solicit, spellbind, tantalize, titillate
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| definition 2: |
to be attractive or strongly appealing to.
The idea of a swim right now tempts me.- synonyms:
- appeal to, attract, beckon
- antonyms:
- repel
- similar words:
- allure, call, draw, enchant, entice, excite, invite, lure
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| definition 3: |
to provoke or put to the test.
Such recklessness tempts fate.- synonyms:
- ask for, court, invite, risk
- similar words:
- bait, flirt with, incite, provoke
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| definition 4: |
to cause to be strongly inclined or disposed.
I was tempted to reply to their rudeness.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive
]
- synonyms:
- motivate, move
- similar words:
- dispose, goad, incline, inspire, prick, prod, prompt
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| related words: |
accost, appeal, bribe, decoy, interest, mislead, pull, tease |
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| derivation: |
temptable (adj.) |
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