temptation
noun
temp·ta·tion
tem(p)-ˈtā-shən 
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
Resist the temptation to dramatize the details out of proportion and look at it in the context of the bigger picture of your life.
—
Sandy Thibault, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Canadians and others must resist the temptation to lash out.
—Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025
Despite missing 5 of 10 free throws in an 86-52 thrashing of Mount St. Mary’s on Nov. 8 and 5 of 12 in an 81-66 win against UMES on Dec. 28, Reese resisted the temptation to tinker with his style and approach.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2025
Only by embracing innovation and public/private partnerships and resisting the temptation to over-regulate will our nation make long-overdue progress toward meaningfully accessible transportation.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for temptation 
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.
Sandy Thibault, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Canadians and others must resist the temptation to lash out.
—Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025
Despite missing 5 of 10 free throws in an 86-52 thrashing of Mount St. Mary’s on Nov. 8 and 5 of 12 in an 81-66 win against UMES on Dec. 28, Reese resisted the temptation to tinker with his style and approach.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2025
Only by embracing innovation and public/private partnerships and resisting the temptation to over-regulate will our nation make long-overdue progress toward meaningfully accessible transportation.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for temptation
Dictionary Entries Near temptation
Cite this Entry
“Temptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temptation. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
temptation
noun
temp·ta·tion
tem(p)-ˈtā-shən
1
: the act of tempting : the state of being tempted especially to evil
2
: something tempting
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share