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

At a time when public trust in higher education is evaporating, faculty are stretched thin, and institutional missions are fraying under financial strain, the temptation is to become further entrenched in the status quo or surrender to inevitable decline. —Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

But if Bell continues to struggle to impress his SAC, there could be the temptation to at least consider alternative paths up the professional ladder. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 26 July 2025

Everton’s need for speed There is always a temptation to read too much into pre-season games. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 21 July 2025

Naturally, there will be a temptation in some circles to rubber-stamp every viral Williams highlight as proof that he’s headed for a Pro Bowl-caliber season. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 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