petuslik

Petuslik is an Estonian adjective meaning tempting or alluring, especially in a way that might be deceptive or morally questionable. It is formed from the noun petus, meaning temptation or lure, with the adjectival suffix -lik. The term can describe actions, rhetoric, objects, or environments designed to attract attention or induce a response, often with a subtle suggestion of potential risk or harm.

In usage, petuslik typically carries a negative or cautionary nuance in formal or critical contexts, such as discussions of advertising ethics, persuasive communication, or moral philosophy. It can be used to describe appeals that exploit desires or weaknesses, but in some contexts it may be used more neutrally to denote attractiveness or appeal without ethical judgment.

Examples: petuslik reklaam (tempting advertisement); petuslik kujundus (tempting design); petuslik kõne (tempting speech). However, usage depends on tone and context; speakers may choose more precise terms like atraktiivne, mõjukas, or manipuleeriv depending on nuance.

Translations: commonly rendered as tempting, enticing, seductive, or deceptive, depending on context.

Related terms: deception (pettus), temptation (püüd), manipulative (manipulatiivne), allure (võrgutav), persuasive (mõjukas). Some dictionaries may mark petuslik as stylistically marked or formal.