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Delicious dilemmas: "appetizing" vs. "tempting"

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 01/10/2024, 02:19
English.me team member
Appetizing and tempting. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both words imply attraction, often related to senses; they suggest something is appealing or desirable.

What is different?

Appetizing is specifically related to stimulating appetite or food appeal, while tempting can refer to a broader range of attractions, not limited to food, often with a sense of luring someone toward something appealing yet possibly unwise.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for appetizing) and tempting

Examples of usage

Appetizing
  • The aroma of the dish was incredibly appetizing.
  • The chef prepared an appetizing spread for the guests.
Tempting
  • The idea of skipping work was tempting, but he resisted.
  • The dessert looked tempting, even though she was full.

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