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

The temptation is to run it as an outline, beginning to middle to end, then results. — Lynn Smith, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Save your money and precious suitcase space by resisting the temptation up front. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 16 Sep. 2026

And that’s something Erivo is more than capable of delivering while resisting the temptation to showboat, even when the writing lets her down. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

As more clocks come to market, the temptation to combine them into an all-in-one longevity score will grow. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 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