temptation

American  

[temp-tey-shuhn] / tɛmpˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

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

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

Etymology

Origin of temptation

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

Example Sentences

When deadlines and bills are circling you, the temptation to cut corners is extremely powerful.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

There’s a temptation for climate-obsessed EU officials to do the same.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

But Arteta has resisted the temptation to rush him into the team, despite some fans' excitement.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

“The temptation in sharp selloffs is to move to safety and wait for clarity,” said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Bank.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

It was horrible beyond belief—sweet, sickly and pungent—so that they did not fed the least wish to swallow a particle of it The real temptation was, to run away.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White