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 of temptation

• seduction
• lure

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

Be prepared to be led into temptation at every corner because this tiny neighborhood is packed to the gills with luxury shopping from Bottega Veneta to Prada. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

This all noted, the temptation to overinvest in the yellow metal should still generally be avoided. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 May 2026

The temptation to rely on vendor-financing is easy to understand. —James Broughel, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Her sixth grade son struggles to keep track of online assignments and resist the temptation the iPad offers for video games. —Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 26 May 2026

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

Rhymes for temptation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

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