1
as in seduction
the pressure to give in to a desire for easy or immediate pleasure
he felt the temptation to go sailing, but did his chores instead
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in lure
something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain
money, power, and other overwhelming temptations can seduce a person to a life of crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of temptation
General manager opportunities don’t arise often, so there’s often a temptation to act in the interest of short-term results to boost one’s approval rating.
—
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
There will be little temptation to venture away from the comforts of the resort’s idyllic and famously still beach, unless by boat, kayak, or bike to explore the surrounding archipelago’s dramatic cliffs, caves, and paths.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
That probably won’t happen again, with the sour taste of an underachieving season and the temptation of seven-figure payouts likely resulting in something between a minor and major overhaul.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Understandably, the temptation to bail on stocks until everything is resolved may be mounting.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
There will be little temptation to venture away from the comforts of the resort’s idyllic and famously still beach, unless by boat, kayak, or bike to explore the surrounding archipelago’s dramatic cliffs, caves, and paths.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
That probably won’t happen again, with the sour taste of an underachieving season and the temptation of seven-figure payouts likely resulting in something between a minor and major overhaul.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Understandably, the temptation to bail on stocks until everything is resolved may be mounting.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for temptation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temptation
Noun
-
The poem tells the story of the seduction of a sixteen-year-old girl by the watermonster, a mythical figure, weaving together themes of place, identity, trauma, and transformation.—
Patrick Dundon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The seduction of modern times is rendered ineffective here.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The campaign is aimed at both employers and employees, hoping to build demand as companies begin to use amenities as a lure for bringing workers back to the office.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
After that, the state would open up that contract to bidding by Pinnacol and other insurance agencies to assume that role in the long term, with tax incentives as a lure.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But their relationship didn’t last, and the movie studios moved on, lured away by new incentives in other states.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
These connections between bonds and environmental risks give counties a financial incentive to engage in conservation.—
Leah Campbell,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temptation. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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