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

Then, there’s the temptation to keep up with what seemingly everyone else is doing. —Mark C. Perna, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

The temptation to withdraw from the world is powerful, and completely understandable. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 10 Sep. 2024

Dismiss temptation and excessive behavior, and embrace knowledge and perfection. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2024

Driven by an astonishing lead performance, this immersive and layered Cannes drama confronts the temptation to become complicit in a broken law enforcement system. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 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