temptation

noun

temp·​ta·​tion tem(p)-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce temptation (audio)
1
: the act of tempting or the state of being tempted especially to evil : enticement
2
: something tempting : a cause or occasion of enticement

Examples of temptation in a Sentence

Money is always a temptation. The dessert menu has a lot of delicious temptations. the temptations of the city
Recent Examples on the Web Yet the temptation to move on to the next challenge after the formal adoption of the AI Act must be resisted. Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 As the moon clashes with Jupiter, beware of the temptation to follow the herd. USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Not everyone who gets recorded knows they’re being watched, and the temptation to snoop can be strong. Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 DeRosa suggests avoiding the temptation to color block with highly contrasting colors. Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The season emulates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and avoiding the temptations of evil in the desert, as mentioned in the Bible. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2024 The temptation, then, is to read the story of Kylian Mbappé and P.S.G. as a cautionary tale. Rory Smith, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Don’t indulge the temptation to despair — instead, welcome the opportunity to reconfigure things in a way that should ultimately be better for you. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2024 Mask Cavin-Morris Gallery, B12 After retreating from the temptations of Paris to an ancestral home in the Auvergne, Sylvain and Ghyslaine Staëlens began making art from materials found on the land or nearby farms. Will Heinrich, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'temptation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English temptacioun "testing, enticement to sin," borrowed from Anglo-French tentacion, borrowed from Late Latin temptātiōn-, temptātiō "enticement to sin," going back to Latin, "attempt, attack," from temptāre "to feel, test, attempt, make an assault on, attack" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at tempt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of temptation was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near temptation

Cite this Entry

“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temptation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

temptation

noun
temp·​ta·​tion tem(p)-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce temptation (audio)
1
: the act of tempting : the state of being tempted especially to evil
2
: something tempting

More from Merriam-Webster on temptation

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