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
When a system can draft an essay, apologize for a mistake, offer emotional reassurance, or generate persuasive arguments faster and better than a human can, the temptation to delegate grows strong.
—
Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
The idea has spawned a flurry of products which are helping their customers resist the temptation of automatically picking up their phone and scrolling social media during any and every lull in the day.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
This is why the temptation to go for a former player, Robbie Keane or Ryan Mason for example, as an interim head coach may hold some appeal.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Bring your own water bottle or beverage container to eliminate the temptation to buy a soft drink while out.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
The idea has spawned a flurry of products which are helping their customers resist the temptation of automatically picking up their phone and scrolling social media during any and every lull in the day.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
This is why the temptation to go for a former player, Robbie Keane or Ryan Mason for example, as an interim head coach may hold some appeal.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Bring your own water bottle or beverage container to eliminate the temptation to buy a soft drink while out.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temptation
Noun
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Packed with flirtatious lyrics and double entendres, the single harkens back to the genre’s late ‘10s era, brimming with playful energy, seduction and allure.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
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Her Sharon Coombs is a high-end insurance broker who hawks pricey policies to wealthy clients, sugaring her pitch with a hint of seduction.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That is a tiny lure with a narrow eyelet that rebuffs multiple attempts to thread tippet that's as fine as spider web silk.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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And while a combination of Tagovailoa’s poor play in 2025 as well as the Dolphins’ cap constraints prevent the franchise from dealing the former Alabama standout to replace him with Willis, the newfound Packers connection that currently runs through the organization could be a potential lure.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Instead, Russia has relied heavily on financial incentives, aggressive advertising, prison recruitment and coercive mobilization.—
Elizaveta Gaufman,
The Conversation,
21 Feb. 2026
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But the Texans don’t have much incentive to trade Mills after Stroud’s inconsistent play during the playoffs (passing for 462 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions over two games).—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temptation. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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