Meaning
To provoke someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward; to entice.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter (French: tenter), from Latin temptare, from tentare (“to handle, touch, try, test, tempt”), frequentative of tendere (“to stretch”). Displaced native English costning (“temptation”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 15 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-06-24TACEMNP
- 2025-10-24PDEIMNT
- 2025-05-29MTAPECI
- 2025-05-21TUEPMKN
- 2025-05-01MCPLEOT
- 2025-02-12TYAPMEN
- 2024-11-15MAELOPT
- 2024-08-05MTCPEDO
- 2023-12-17PTANIEM
- 2023-10-24TUDPIEM
- 2023-05-15PCTOMED
- 2023-04-10METNKPU
+3 earlier appearances in the archive.