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

• 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

Instead of giving in to the temptation of other people’s attention, August is instead meant to be a time to become your own soulmate. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025

With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025

Horizons/West was originally slated for a 2022 release until the temptation to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Artist in the Ambulance became too undeniable. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025

Strategies and techniques to reduce the temptation to drink. —Malaka Gharib, NPR, 29 Sep. 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