Synonyms of temptation

temptation

noun

tem(p)-ˈtā-shən 

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

• seduction
• lure
• appeal
• attraction
• enticement
• allurement
• attractiveness
• invitation
• power
• charm
• allure
• glamour
• influence
• inducement
• siren song
• bait
• enchantment
• persuasion
• sway
• beckoning

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

• lure
• incentive
• attraction
• enticement
• motivation
• bait
• impetus
• come-on
• turn-on
• allurement
• stimulus
• boost
• appeal
• impulse
• encouragement
• siren song
• seduction
• inducement
• persuasion
• goad
• call
• spur
• trap
• snare
• seducement
• entrapment
• decoy
• mousetrap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warning
• notice
• caution
• alarm
• alert
• forewarning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of temptation

Taylor returns from The Bachelorette with unfinished business, an old temptation, and the pressure of life in the public eye. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

General manager Ryan Johnson, however, should avoid that temptation. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

For some time, the world will be without any order at all—swept by fragmentation, contagion, and strangulation or the temptation to weaponize a wide variety of geographic, economic, and technological chokepoints. — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

The temptation is to stop paying full attention because the machine is. — Maria Colacurcio, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026