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

Miss Manners commends your husband for resisting the temptation to respond rudely. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024

This could enable you to push a few people out of the way in your race to the finish line, so beware of any negative temptations to snag unfair advantages. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2024

A lot of Star Wars is about temptation, especially toward the dark side, but The Acolyte is also about the complicated temptations of groupthink and self-repression, too. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 June 2024

Research from our public interest law firm, the Institute for Justice, shows hidden costs when agencies give in to this temptation. —Daryl James, Orange County Register, 27 May 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