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Meaning & use

temptation

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/tempˈteɪʃən/
US/tɛmpˈteɪʃən/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    A strong urge to do something that you know is unwise, forbidden or bad for you.

    Grammar: Uncountable for the feeling (give in to temptation); countable for a specific urge (resist the temptation to eat).

    Patterns

    • resist the temptation to do something
    • give in to temptation
    • the temptation of something

    She resisted the temptation to check her phone during dinner.

    He gave in to temptation and ate the last cookie.

    The temptation to quit grows stronger every winter.

  2. nouncountable

    Something that attracts you and makes you want to do wrong or unwise things.

    Grammar: Countable: a temptation, many temptations.

    Patterns

    • a temptation for someone

    Fast food is a constant temptation for busy workers.

    The open window was a temptation for the thief.

    Online shopping offers endless temptations.

Word forms

pluraltemptations

Common combinations

resist temptation
It was hard to resist temptation at the bakery.
give in to temptation
He gave in to temptation and spent all his savings.
fall into temptation
She tried not to fall into temptation.
overcome temptation
He overcame temptation and stayed on his diet.
strong temptation
A strong temptation to sleep in held her back.

Synonyms and how they differ

urge
Urge is neutral and can be harmless, while temptation implies something one should avoid.
lure
Lure is the attractive thing itself, drawing someone toward something, often dangerous.
allure
Allure suggests charm and attraction rather than a wish to do wrong.
enticement
Enticement is something offered to attract someone and is slightly more deliberate.

Opposites

restraintself-control

Word family

tempt verb
to make someone want to do something unwise
tempting adjective
attractive in a way that is hard to resist
tempter noun
a person who tempts
temptress noun
a woman who tempts, an old-fashioned term

Commonly confused: temptation or attempt?

temptation vs attempt

Attempt means to try to do something, while temptation is an urge to do something wrong.

Practice

Complete the sentence: She finally gave in to ___ and bought the expensive shoes.

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