From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtempttempt /tempt/ ●●○ verb [transitive] 1 PERSUADEto try to persuade someone to do something by making it seem attractivetempt somebody into doing something The new program is designed to tempt young people into studying engineering.tempt somebody to do something It would take a lot of money to tempt me to quit this job.2 ATTRACTto make someone want to have or do something, even though they know they really should not If you leave valuables in your car it will tempt thieves.be tempted to do something I’m tempted to buy that dress.3 → tempt fate→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
tempt• Too many investors are tempted by the idea of making a quick fortune.• The arrangement tempts employees to win contracts even by illegal means.• The Parisian shops have things to tempt even the strongest of wills.• As a hermit living in a cave, he refused the flock of naked women sent to tempt him.• Don't be tempted into betting money on the horses.• The club is giving away free T-shirts in order to tempt people to join.• Travel companies tempt people with special offers.• Rising equity prices hurt bonds by tempting some investors to shop for better returns in the stock market.• Most infomercials try to tempt television viewers into buying beauty aids, kitchen gadgets and other products.• This is clearly cumbersome and possibly unsatisfactory and many users might be tempted to abandon the process before achieving their ends.• She had been tempted to cut out the photographs and keep them, but she hadn't.• I'm tempted to take a nice long vacation before I start the new job.• Donors now have economic control; they will always be tempted to use the power that this control brings.• If an estate car tempts you, it could pay to choose one with the option of an extra row of seats.tempt somebody to do something• The Knicks are hoping a huge salary bonus will tempt Riley to return as head coach.be tempted to do something• It's so nice outside that I'm tempted to forget work and go to the lake.• The gallery looks so much like a cocktail lounge you may be tempted to ask a guard for a martini.• One is tempted to ask: Who knew?• Another warning - don't be tempted to blow all your redundancy money.• For the first time he was tempted to commit scientific adultery.• At first they are tempted to deny or ignore it.• Despite Morley Street's shock defeat by Chirkpar in that race last year, Jackson is tempted to make the return trip.• This example must not be pressed too far, as some theologians are tempted to press it.• But she earned just £2,500 in her first year, grew lonely and depressed, and was tempted to quit.Origin tempt (1200-1300) Old French tempter, tenter, from Latin temptare, tentare “to feel, try, tempt” 