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

Caesarism is a great temptation, for both Left and Right. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025

Much of the credit for that unexpected metamorphosis goes to Gersten, who muscled her way into a subgenre — the topless temptation — once dominated by men. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025

Change your environment Removing temptations from your environment is a good way to prevent reaching for them, according to experts. —Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025

Addressing triggers and cravings is critical for managing temptations, while having healthy substitutes on hand can help reduce the impact of intense cravings. —Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

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