1
as in seduction
the pressure to give in to a desire for easy or immediate pleasure
he felt the temptation to go sailing, but did his chores instead
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in lure
something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain
money, power, and other overwhelming temptations can seduce a person to a life of crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of temptation
The temptation to time the market—to step aside until the volatility passes and re-enter at a more opportune moment—can be strong.
—
Carrie McCabe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Don’t give in to the temptation that more is better.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025
Every year, sports analysts and fans highlight potential bracket-busters, fueling the temptation to pick multiple upsets.
—Kilty Cleary, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
And because Disney remakes of one sort or another just keep coming, from Mulan to Pinocchio to The Little Mermaid, the temptation to be cynical about them is enormous.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Carrie McCabe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Don’t give in to the temptation that more is better.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025
Every year, sports analysts and fans highlight potential bracket-busters, fueling the temptation to pick multiple upsets.
—Kilty Cleary, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
And because Disney remakes of one sort or another just keep coming, from Mulan to Pinocchio to The Little Mermaid, the temptation to be cynical about them is enormous.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temptation
Noun
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The filmmakers’ gaze sometimes stops to watch a specific event, like a dance or a discreet seduction.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
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Pérez’s Mimì doesn’t seem to worry about seduction either way; in this production, Rodolfo is the calm from the storm of her life.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Heavy line, light lure — how much of my life does that sum up?—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Classified as a lipless crankbait, the lure is also very versatile.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As such, there is little incentive for non-citizens to try to vote, Levitt said.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
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Trump says tariffs will force other countries to lower their own rates on U.S. goods and services, creating a more balanced economic playing field for U.S. exports and a strong incentive for companies to manufacture goods such as cars inside the U.S. to avoid paying the tax.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temptation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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