temptation

American  

[temp-tey-shuhn] / tɛmpˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

temptations plural

1. the act of tempting; enticement or allurement.

   Synonyms:

   inducement, seduction, pull, attraction, lure

2. something that tempts, entices, or allures.

3. the fact or state of being tempted, especially to evil.

4. an instance of this.

5. (initial capital letter) the temptation of Christ by Satan. Matthew 4.

---

temptation British  

/ tɛmpˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of tempting or the state of being tempted

2. a person or thing that tempts

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nontemptation
  noun
• pretemptation
  noun
• supertemptation
  noun
• temptational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• temptations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of temptation

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English temptacion, from Latin temptātiōn- (stem of temptātiō ) “a testing”; see tempt, -ation

Explanation

Temptation is something you want to have or to do, even though you know you shouldn't. That bag of peanut butter cups on top of your fridge might be an example of a temptation. The thing that you want despite knowing it's not good for you — like the cool sneakers you really can't afford — is a temptation. The feeling is also a temptation — so wanting those shoes is temptation. The Latin word temptare, or to taste, is where temptation comes from, which makes a lot of sense when you think of that bag of peanut butter cups calling to you from the kitchen.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

temptation temptations

To help you avoid the temptation to doomscroll about it tonight, might I instead suggest:

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

Unfortunately, as I grew into an adult, I came to learn that in fact that temptation to play to an audience is all too real.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

While we think investors are best served waiting for the options market to mature over the next few weeks, we recognize that the temptation of a hot stock will be difficult for many to resist.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

Former UK air accident investigator Tim Atkinson agrees that there is always a temptation to blame a dead pilot for a serious accident.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

The Incorrigible children already knew this, but Lord Fredrick Ashton had not had the same careful training in how to resist temptation.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

AI poses temptations to isolate, but it can also be shaped to strengthen human bonds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

The scams include fraudulent invoices, advance-fee fraud, overpayment scams, fictional prizewinnings, no-risk investment temptations, fake charities, shipping scams, prepaid shipping-label scams, package-rerouting scams and phony job opportunities.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 25, 2026

He decided early on in his career to ignore the temptations of London and to run his music business from Manchester, a place which he said "has something special" that "no other city can replicate".

From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026

In earlier eras of his channel, Orth’s videos had a frothy self-help flair; he doled out advice on how to best enjoy some of the more revelrous temptations the city has to offer.

From Slate ● Nov. 18, 2025

Mothers liked Crane because there were few temptations that could entice their offspring.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger