tempt

Tempt is a verb whose primary sense is to entice or lure someone to do something, especially something considered undesirable or morally questionable, or to test or provoke. It can describe a person being drawn toward an action (tempt someone to do something) or something that appears appealing (the offer tempts him). Common constructions include tempt someone into doing something, tempt someone away from a principle, or tempt fate.

Etymology traces tempt to Old French tenter, from Latin tentare “to try,” with a shift in sense from merely testing to enticing or provoking. Over time, the moral dimension became a central aspect of the word in many languages, though it retains non-moral uses as well, such as tempting luck or fate.

In religious and literary contexts, temptation often carries a moral or ethical weight, referring to solicitation by a powerful influence or to a trial of character. In Christian tradition, the temptation of Christ is a well-known narrative, illustrating a test of loyalty or virtue. In secular usage, temptation describes anything that makes an action seem appealing, even if it is not sinful—though it typically implies a risk of compromising principles or judgment.

Tempt forms include tempted (past tense and past participle), tempting (present participle/gerund), and temptation (noun). Related terms include entice, lure, and allure, while antonyms include deter, resist, and avoid. Common collocations include temptation to do something, temptation is strong, and to tempt fate, a phrase used when someone continues risky behavior after warning signs.