tempting
Beckoning you closer
Tempting describes something that attracts or entices, especially toward pleasure or indulgence.
A tempting offer is hard to refuse.
Tempting food makes you want to eat it even when you shouldn't.
The word carries a hint of danger or poor judgment—what tempts you may not be good for you.
It's tempting to just stay in bed.
Pleasing to behold
- appealingPleasant and inviting
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
- enticingPowerfully attractive
inviting · beguiling · charming · fascinating · engaging · mesmerizing · bewitching · spellbinding
Extremely appealing to eat
- deliciousHighly pleasing to taste
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
- scrumptiousExtremely pleasing to taste
tasty · succulent · luscious · toothsome · flavorful · palatable · sumptuous · finger-licking
Hot, humid, or alluring
- sensualOf bodily pleasure
- voluptuousSensually full-bodied
- ravishingStrikingly, entrancingly attractive
- desirableWorth having or seeking
sexy · glamorous · provocative · flirtatious · coy · suggestive · arousing · titillating
Cultural or social prohibition
- illicitProhibited by law
- sinfulViolating moral law
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
transgressive · banned · contraband · naughty · wicked · immoral · verboten · dangerous
Powerfully engaging or persuasive
- addictiveCausing physical or psychological dependence
- hypnoticInducing trance or slumber
- engrossingCompletely holding one's attention
- grippingHolding attention completely
consuming · obsessive · overpowering · undeniable · inescapable · magnetic · overwhelming · urgent
attractive
Pleasing to behold
- appealingPleasant and inviting
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
enticing · inviting · beguiling · charming · fascinating · engaging · mesmerizing · bewitching · spellbinding · entrancing
mouthwatering
Extremely appealing to eat
- deliciousHighly pleasing to taste
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
scrumptious · tasty · succulent · luscious · toothsome · flavorful · palatable · sumptuous · finger-licking · gourmet
sultry
Hot, humid, or alluring
- sensualOf bodily pleasure
- voluptuousSensually full-bodied
- ravishingStrikingly, entrancingly attractive
desirable · sexy · glamorous · provocative · flirtatious · coy · suggestive · arousing · titillating · smoldering
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
- illicitProhibited by law
- sinfulViolating moral law
- off-limitsProhibited from access
prohibited · transgressive · banned · contraband · naughty · wicked · immoral · verboten · dangerous · risky
compelling
Powerfully engaging or persuasive
- addictiveCausing physical or psychological dependence
- hypnoticInducing trance or slumber
- engrossingCompletely holding one's attention
gripping · consuming · obsessive · overpowering · undeniable · inescapable · magnetic · overwhelming · urgent · persistent
- persuadingpersuading, convincing, urging, coaxing, influencing
- seductionseduction, seductive, allure, beguilement, enticement
- enticementsenticement, inducement, lure, allure, bait
- food adjectivesdelicious, tasty, yummy, scrumptious, savory
- captivatingcaptivating, fascinating, compelling, mesmerizing, hypnotic
- teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
temptingrepulsive
Causing strong disgust
repellent · off-putting · unappetizing · unappealing · uninviting
temptingdeterring
Preventing through fear
discouraging · dissuading · forbidding · cautionary · sobering
- tempting fateRisking bad outcomes recklessly