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

Matheus Cunha’s raking ball to set Bryan Mbeumo free was outstanding in the context of the game, but there was a temptation to wonder whether Branthwaite’s extra speed would have snuffed out the threat before Mbeumo was able to feed Sesko. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

There is a temptation, especially in opinion pages, to turn this into a tidy argument — more funding here, tougher enforcement there, a program launched, a ribbon cut. —Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026

Its release coincides with the start of the Christian season of Lent, a period of repentance, self-reflection and resistance to temptation. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026

And the emails are, in fact, a fascinating map of elite (and human) temptation and corruption. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 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
• 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