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

Avoid the temptation to micromanage and assert control to mitigate this risk. —Don Yaeger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Yet Mann urged his audiences to resist the temptation to deride humanity. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

There are flights to book, gifts to buy, special outfits for parties, extra food for visitors and the temptation of seasonal sales. —Becca Stanek, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024

So when people start pulling away, retreating into their own romantic relationships, or investing in other personal pursuits, Sam’s temptation to protect herself through isolation creeps back up. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024

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

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