temptation

noun

temp·​ta·​tion tem(p)-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of tempting or the state of being tempted especially to evil : enticement

2

: something tempting : a cause or occasion of enticement

Synonyms

• allurement
• enticement
• lure
• seduction

Examples of temptation in a Sentence

Money is always a temptation.

The dessert menu has a lot of delicious temptations.

the temptations of the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Making savings automatic helps remove the temptation to dip into those funds. —Letitia Berbaum, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Consider an old-fashioned alarm clock instead of setting an alarm on your phone to reduce the temptation to go online. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The native of New York was the portrait of the struggling artist who bounced from small gigs to part-time jobs just to pay the rent, all the while pushing back the temptation to end the dream. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2025

However, the temptation of being able to unleash his power without check proves too much for him. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English temptacioun "testing, enticement to sin," borrowed from Anglo-French tentacion, borrowed from Late Latin temptātiōn-, temptātiō "enticement to sin," going back to Latin, "attempt, attack," from temptāre "to feel, test, attempt, make an assault on, attack" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at tempt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for temptation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

temptation

noun

temp·​ta·​tion tem(p)-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of tempting : the state of being tempted especially to evil

2

: something tempting