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
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.
As practicing Mormons, the family built a brand on resisting the temptations of fame while capturing the spirit of the era with their flared jumpsuits and rollicking dance choreography. Hank Sanders, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 Acquiescing to the way the world works is one of the temptations of being a journalist, and in Italy, for nearly a generation, the way the world worked had been Fascist. Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 Before Jack Smith's special counsel investigation into Trump, Biden's predecessor and his main electoral rival, presidents had never indulged the temptation to use their awesome power of investigation and prosecution against their political rivals. Bradley Gitz, arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024 Some are abandoning their laptops for vintage typewriters, eliminating the temptation of the backspace key and internet connectivity. Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for temptation 

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 18 Jan. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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