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

While its desert setting, Morricone-adjacent score, and light themes of vengeance help justify the temptation to shoehorn it into a recognizable niche subgenre, its use of Western imagery is ultimately too loose to merit such a label. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025

Officials have said that its ethnic minority policies are designed to alleviate poverty and mitigate the temptation of religious extremism through steady employment. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 11 Dec. 2025

Automating transfers to your emergency fund, retirement accounts or other savings goals takes temptation off the table. —Barbara White, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025

Old Electronics and Cables Don’t give in to the temptation to keep all the old, unidentifiable cords that have become tangled together through the years. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025

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
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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