1
as in seductions
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
Relevance
2
as in lures
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of temptations
This has created new temptations, particularly for the young people now being coaxed into putting their weekly allowance toward randomized Call of Duty loot boxes and Polymarket wagers.
—
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Living across the street from school led to fewer temptations to skip.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
The format forces couples to navigate various tests and temptations that challenge their love, loyalty, and trust while completely exposed to viewers.
—Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 17 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
Dinner at Veranda had its own temptations, including the prime beef filet offered with traditional sauces and the Dungeness crab wedge salad with Louis dressing—practically an entrée in itself.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
His fall played as tabloid morality tale, at once confirming secular suspicion about hypocritical Christians and Christian suspicions about the temptations of secular trappings.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
Resist the temptations of the algorithm.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
Each point represents one of the seven deadly sins, and its bright colors symbolize the temptations that lead an innocent individual into sin.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Living across the street from school led to fewer temptations to skip.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
The format forces couples to navigate various tests and temptations that challenge their love, loyalty, and trust while completely exposed to viewers.
—Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 17 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
Dinner at Veranda had its own temptations, including the prime beef filet offered with traditional sauces and the Dungeness crab wedge salad with Louis dressing—practically an entrée in itself.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
His fall played as tabloid morality tale, at once confirming secular suspicion about hypocritical Christians and Christian suspicions about the temptations of secular trappings.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
Resist the temptations of the algorithm.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
Each point represents one of the seven deadly sins, and its bright colors symbolize the temptations that lead an innocent individual into sin.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temptations
Noun
-
But the seductions of ChatGPT are hard to resist, and Marsicano noted that the college has seen an increase in code violations due to AI.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The seductions are not just for ratings.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Typically, auto dealerships secure purchase orders from private or public fleet operators interested in buying their zero-emission vehicles at the lower rates facilitated by the state incentives.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Second, Connecticut should create incentives for insurance companies and financial services firms to partner with local training providers on apprenticeship and placement programs.—
Kevin J. Conlan,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Places like Kobe, Kanazawa, and Fukuoka offer standout food scenes, walkable neighborhoods, and compelling cultural attractions at noticeably lower prices, often with far fewer crowds.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Under the new deal, city residents still must pay to park in five lots closest to Balboa Park’s most popular attractions.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But none of these enticements can conceal the absence of scripts and direction that set a distinctive mood, then deftly navigate every deliberate shift.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Delivering presents and spreading good cheer is not selfish Scott’s idea of a high calling, although the prospect of working only one day a year has its enticements.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Temptations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temptations. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
