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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of temptation
Harris’ space policy record The Biden administration has continued to support Trump-era initiatives, resisting the temptation to undo or cancel past proposals.
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Thomas G. Roberts, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024
Avoided the temptation to chase a win even when the Dodgers closed the gap to 6-3 in the sixth inning, knowing that this pitchers could neither erase the Mets’ runs nor produce any of their own.
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 14 Oct. 2024
Clemson aside, the Huskers’ reversal seemed to put to rest other big-time athletic departments’ temptations to fly solo.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Related article Diet drinks may boost risk of dangerous heart condition by 20%, study says
Get rid of temptation at work
Reduce sugar cues in your work environment.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for temptation 
Thomas G. Roberts, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024
Avoided the temptation to chase a win even when the Dodgers closed the gap to 6-3 in the sixth inning, knowing that this pitchers could neither erase the Mets’ runs nor produce any of their own.
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 14 Oct. 2024
Clemson aside, the Huskers’ reversal seemed to put to rest other big-time athletic departments’ temptations to fly solo.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Related article Diet drinks may boost risk of dangerous heart condition by 20%, study says
Get rid of temptation at work
Reduce sugar cues in your work environment.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for temptation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temptation
Noun
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The university fired Johnson in 2020 after he was arrested on charges of child seduction, kidnapping and identity deception.Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Oct. 2024
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Seeing Vassos’s suitors contort themselves in the name of dance-pop seduction was a personal highlight.Devon Ivie, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Noun
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The lure of California’s soft-on-crime policies has resulted in criminals from across the world coming to California to steal – and get away with it.Todd Spitzer, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
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For a journalist, the lure of fact-checking Mezrich’s books is irresistible.Simon van Zuylen-Wood, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Bio Essence plans to increase income through sales force strengthening, sales incentives, and marketing activities, and is exploring additional financing options.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
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In many instances, local and state tax incentives are supporting these projects.James Morton Turner, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near temptation
Cite this Entry
“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temptation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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