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 tax outsiders can be difficult for voters to resist.
—
Kevin Cole, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Just resist the temptation to swap in products labeled as stock or broth.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
As people come to rely more and more on devices like smartphones and in-vehicle technology, the temptation to use them while driving seems to have risen in kind; as a result, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of roadway accidents today.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
While franchises can be a revolving door of writers, is the temptation of playing with those toys just too much to resist?
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Kevin Cole, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Just resist the temptation to swap in products labeled as stock or broth.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
As people come to rely more and more on devices like smartphones and in-vehicle technology, the temptation to use them while driving seems to have risen in kind; as a result, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of roadway accidents today.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
While franchises can be a revolving door of writers, is the temptation of playing with those toys just too much to resist?
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temptation
Noun
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Scripted by Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie (partners in life and in filmmaking), these words of seduction are music to the ears of a lonely Gravedigger (Glowicki), who has been formulating a perfume to cover up her corpse-like stench.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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But the real seduction lies inside.—
Vicki Power,
TheWeek,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The mystery is the game’s lure, the unpredictability a big part of its appeal.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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There are no worms in it, though viral video plays a part, and fame — the pursuit of which is a subject — is a lure.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This is not an indictment of individuals but of incentives built into a system structured to protect bureaucracy while classrooms absorb the pressure.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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This investment would be best paired with incentives to companies to offer greater part-time and flexible work options.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temptation. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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