tempt

/tempt/ (bre, ipa) · /tempt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtem(p)t/ (ame, mw)

tempt — 動詞

  • temptpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • temptshe / she / it
  • temptedpast simple
  • tempting-ing form

1. to persuade a person toward a choice they know is unwise, by making it seem appe

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

誘惑；引誘

使人想做不該做的事

to persuade a person toward a choice they know is unwise, by making it seem appealing or exciting.

例句

The fresh bread smell tempted Caio to stop at the bakery on his way home.

新鮮出爐的麵包香氣誘惑著 Caio 在回家路上停在麵包店。

tempt + object + to-infinitive

Online ads often tempt shoppers into buying things they do not really need.

線上廣告經常用來引誘消費者購買他們其實不需要的東西。

tempt + object + into + gerund

同義詞
  • lure

    stronger implication of tricking or trapping someone with a false promise

  • entice

    more neutral — suggests careful attraction without the moral judgement of 'tempt'

  • seduce

    often personal or romantic; carries a stronger sense of persuasion against better judgment

反義詞
  • deter

    to discourage someone from doing something

  • repel

    to push someone away or make them not want something

文法句型

tempt + object + to-infinitive

tempt + object + into + noun/gerund

be tempted + by + noun

用法筆記

Object is typically a person. The tempting thing can be a concrete item (food, money) or an abstract situation (offer, opportunity). Frequently used in the passive when the focus is on the person feeling the desire.

常見錯誤

❌The advertisement tempted me to buying it.
✅The advertisement tempted me to buy it.
💡After 'tempt + object,' use the base form of the verb (to-infinitive without 'to'), not a gerund.
❌The cake tempts me.' (when you just find it appealing)
✅The cake tempted me to take a slice.
💡'tempt' needs a context of persuasion toward an action; for simple appeal without a goal, use 'attract.'

2. to feel a strong wish to do or have something, particularly when you are aware i

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

心動；很想

內心被吸引而想做某事

to feel a strong wish to do or have something, particularly when you are aware it may not be the wise choice.

例句

Astrid was tempted to quit her job after a very difficult week.

在經歷了非常艱難的一週後，Astrid 很想辭掉工作。

be tempted + to-infinitive

Sivan was tempted to buy the jacket, but the price was too high.

Sivan 很心動想買那件夾克，但價格太高了。

同義詞
  • attract

    more neutral and general; does not carry the implication that the thing is unwise

  • appeal to

    focuses on the thing itself being enjoyable rather than the person's internal struggle

  • draw

    weaker than 'tempt'; suggests gentle attraction without moral conflict

反義詞
  • resist

    to successfully avoid giving in to temptation

文法句型

be tempted + to-infinitive

be tempted + by + noun

be tempted + into + gerund

用法筆記

This sense nearly always uses the passive form 'be tempted' (acting as a stative adjective). The active 'tempt' in this sense would mean 'cause desire in someone else' — which belongs to sense 1. Compare: 'I am tempted to eat this' (sense 2, I feel desire) vs 'The cake tempts me' (sense 1, the cake is the agent).

常見錯誤

❌I am tempting to eat the whole cake.
✅I am tempted to eat the whole cake.
💡When you mean you feel a desire, use the passive adjective form 'tempted,' not the active participle 'tempting.'

3. to behave too confidently and risk ruining your good luck — for example, by sayi

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

挑釁命運

過度自信而冒險挑戰好運

to behave too confidently and risk ruining your good luck — for example, by saying something that seems to invite misfortune.

例句

By driving home after only two hours of sleep, Vikram was tempting fate.

Vikram 只睡了兩個小時就開車回家，簡直是在挑釁命運。

tempt fate — risk from overconfidence

Saying that you have never been in an accident can tempt providence.

說自己從來沒出過車禍，可能會觸怒上天。

tempt providence — fixed phrase

同義詞
  • risk

    more general — does not carry the superstitious 'challenging luck' nuance

  • dare

    focuses on personal courage rather than challenging luck

  • invite trouble

    an idiom with a similar meaning but a wider range of objects

反義詞

文法句型

tempt + fate

tempt + providence

tempt + luck

用法筆記

This sense is restricted to a small set of fixed expressions: 'tempt fate,' 'tempt providence,' and less commonly 'tempt luck' or 'tempt the gods.' The object cannot be freely chosen — you cannot 'tempt danger' or 'tempt the weather.' The passive form is also not used: 'fate was tempted by him' is incorrect.

常見錯誤

❌He tempted the weather by going out without a coat.
✅He was tempting fate by going out without a coat in January.
💡The fixed object is 'fate' (or 'providence'), not 'the weather' or other free-choice nouns.
❌Fate was tempted by the hikers.
✅The hikers tempted fate.
💡This phrase cannot be used in the passive voice.