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 of temptation

• seduction
• lure

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

Authorities resisted the temptation to use record foreign reserves to defend the pound, even as the conflict sparked a sell-off across emerging markets. —Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Understandably, the temptation to bail on stocks until everything is resolved may be mounting. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026

Never discount the criminal temptations of the price per pound of metal (and shame on the metal salvage companies that accept for scrap something that is very obviously historic, and stolen). —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Automatic contributions reduce the temptation to spend that money elsewhere. —Bydavid Schepp, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

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