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

Speaking of temptation—after a third night stay, guests can stay a fourth night for free, depending on availability. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026

Use it as a tool, not a temptation. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

There is a temptation to expand the view of this ruling, to look at the slippery slope that has been legally greased and pontificate about how this will lead to the further damnation of college sports. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

Seemingly to help stave off temptation, a half dozen of the 18 male cult members who died had been surgically castrated, according to The New York Times, including Applewhite. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 June 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