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
Our advice therefore is to all that are in such circumstances and temptations to stop their ears and eyes against these he-sirens.
—
Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Don't give in to temptation and cross over with your mower—not even a tiny bit.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
The temptation to check messages, see what the latest notification is, etc. could pull audience members away from the live speaker.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The Trump administration must resist the temptation to focus on showy public-facing policies, such as unilateral drone strikes, which would practically force Sheinbaum to reduce cooperation in defense of Mexican sovereignty.
—Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Don't give in to temptation and cross over with your mower—not even a tiny bit.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
The temptation to check messages, see what the latest notification is, etc. could pull audience members away from the live speaker.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The Trump administration must resist the temptation to focus on showy public-facing policies, such as unilateral drone strikes, which would practically force Sheinbaum to reduce cooperation in defense of Mexican sovereignty.
—Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temptation
Noun
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Francis Fox, pedophile, is a smug, deceitful middle school English teacher, practiced in the art of seduction and the rewards and punishment psychology of B.F. Skinner.—
Heather Scott Partington,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
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Meanwhile, new technologies continue to flood in, each offering the seduction of speed.—
Siddhartha Mukherjee,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Tournament officials are hoping that the lure of knockout rounds, the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final will help fill the stadiums in the coming weeks.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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The lure is rich tax credits and other production incentives and more stable markets to expand into.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
Noun
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While American pharmaceutical development exhibits signs of institutional sclerosis, China’s system demonstrates the power of aligned incentives, streamlined processes, and strategic coordination between regulatory bodies, research institutions, and industry players.—
Greg Licholai MD,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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This prompted the lawmaker to question why someone would want to run away from these incentives and avoid detection.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temptation. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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