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 post-holiday cleanup often comes with the familiar temptation to shove all the tinsel and twinkling lights into the closest available box and, as quickly as possible, close the attic door on it all until next December. —Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026

Howie Mandel shared a blunt warning about the temptations of early financial success for up-and-coming entertainers. —Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Writer-director Craig Brewer resists the temptation to make Mike and Claire in any way pitiful or worthy of derision. —Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026

The temptation when considering an experienced actor’s directorial debut is to see it as a glimpse into what matters most to them — or conversely, what matters least. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 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
• 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