Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

temptation

noun
Save Word
temp·​ta·​tion | \ tem(p)-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce temptation (audio) \

Definition of temptation

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 Example Sentences Learn More about temptation

Keep scrolling for more

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
See More
Recent Examples on the Web The temptation is to do this from a place of fear rather than a place of empowerment. — Stacey Steinberg, Washington Post, "Let’s tell kids what they can do online, instead of what they can’t do," 13 Feb. 2020 In that environment, the temptation for politicians is to play to identity politics and to the grievances of their particular followers. — Gerald F. Seib, WSJ, "Why Democracy Is Troubled (and How to Fix It)," 19 Jan. 2020 For those of us whose own family members were killed in the death camps, the temptation can be overwhelming to say that this crime was unique and that no analogies could possibly be valid. — Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, "Why Historical Analogy Matters," 7 Jan. 2020 Of course, the temptation is to say, see it because of the flat-out incredible performance by Adam Sandler. — Bill Goodykoontz, azcentral, "Adam Sandler is great — yes, great — in the jittery, nerve-wracking 'Uncut Gems'," 25 Dec. 2019 The temptation for most investors is to add to what recently worked. — Nancy Tengler, USA TODAY, "Why Friday’s jobs report just extended the bull market," 9 Dec. 2019 Given that fact, plus its exotic architecture and music biz milieu, the temptation might be not to revisit Egan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work of fiction, for fear the book might itself have been scarred by time’s merciless thugs. — Ew Staff, EW.com, "Why A Visit From the Goon Squad is EW's Best Book of the Decade," 25 Nov. 2019 The temptation is for girls to migrate to cities, as so many people are doing around the world. — Wired, "Climate Change Is Brutal for Everyone, But Worse for Women," 25 Nov. 2019 The temptation is strong to sit in the darkened gallery much longer than originally planned, wondering where Joseph will go next. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "‘BLKNWS’ video installation at Atheneum presents an affirming view of black Americans," 13 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'temptation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of temptation

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for temptation

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about temptation

Time Traveler for temptation

Time Traveler

The first known use of temptation was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Statistics for temptation

Last Updated

19 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temptation. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for temptation

temptation

noun
How to pronounce temptation (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of temptation

: a strong urge or desire to have or do something
: something that causes a strong urge or desire to have or do something and especially something that is bad, wrong, or unwise

See the full definition for temptation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

temptation

noun
temp·​ta·​tion | \ temp-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce temptation (audio) \

Kids Definition of temptation

1 : the act of considering or causing to consider doing something wrong or unwise
2 : a strong desire a temptation for candy
3 : something that causes a strong desire The money was a temptation.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on temptation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for temptation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with temptation

Spanish Central: Translation of temptation

Nglish: Translation of temptation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of temptation for Arabic Speakers

Comments on temptation

What made you want to look up temptation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

coax

Listen to the pronounciation of coax

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • squirrel in winter
  • Which is a synonym of probity?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games