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Threaten vs Tempt - What's the difference?

threaten | tempt |

As verbs the difference between threaten and tempt

is that threaten is to make a threat against someone; to use threats while tempt is to provoke someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward; to entice.

threaten

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
  • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.}}
    He threatened me with a knife.
  • To menace, or be dangerous.
  • The rocks threatened the ship's survival.
  • To portend, or give a warning of.
  • The black clouds threatened heavy rain.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See

    tempt

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To provoke someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward; to entice.
  • She tempted me to eat the apple.
  • To attract; to allure.
  • Its glossy skin tempted me.
  • To provoke something; to court.
  • It would be tempting fate.

    Derived terms

    * temptation * tempter * temptress * tempt fate * tempt providence