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.

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temptation British  

/ tɛmpˈteɪʃən /

noun

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

2. a person or thing that tempts

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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

All of that rehab took its toll, and though she has spoken of the temptation of one last crack at the Aussies next summer, the full circle moment at Lord's is what feels right.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

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

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

The group, owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, turns over around 20 billion euros a year despite resisting the commercial temptation of launching a dedicated menswear fashion line.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 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

Another palpable temptation is to pretend that none of this has happened, to deny any accusation she makes based on whatever remnant of memory remains.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

We have plenty of screen-based temptations lying around the house already, and my kids don’t need another.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

The beloved Minneapolis bakery is famous for its oversized, gooey cinnamon rolls, but there are plenty of other temptations on display, including caramel pecan buns, sticky buns and seasonal specialties.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

Lisa said she found these temptations too enticing to ignore.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

That would be unwise and probably lead to disaster both in terms of his financial mishandling of those funds and the temptations it would put in his way.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 16, 2026

Thus, amidst uncertainties and temptations, arrived the autumn with its rains.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson