tempt

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tempt / tem(p)t/ • v. [tr.] entice or attempt to entice (someone) to do or acquire something that they find attractive but know to be wrong or not beneficial: don't allow impatience to tempt you into overexposure and sunburn there'll always be someone tempted by the rich pickings of poaching | [tr.] jobs that involve entertaining may tempt you to drink more than you intend. ∎  (be tempted to do something) have an urge or inclination to do something: I was tempted to look at my watch, but didn't dare. ∎  attract; allure: he was tempted out of retirement to save the team. ∎ archaic risk provoking (a deity or abstract force), usually with undesirable consequences.PHRASES: tempt fate (or providence) do something that is risky or dangerous.DERIVATIVES: tempt·a·bil·i·ty / ˌtem(p)təˈbilitē/ n. ( rare )tempt·a·ble adj. ( rare ).