temptation
4 synonyms for temptation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The urge or desire to do something, especially something unwise or forbidden.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use temptation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
resist temptation
give in to temptation
a real temptation
Etymology
From Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio, built on tempt + the noun-forming suffix -ation.
Full origin of temptation →Frequently asked questions
What does “temptation” mean?
The word “temptation” means the urge or desire to do something, especially something unwise or forbidden. In plain terms, the pull toward doing something you know you probably shouldn't.
How do you pronounce “temptation”?
“Temptation” is pronounced tehmp-TAY-shuhn (/ˌtɛmpˈteɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “temptation” in a sentence?
Here is “temptation” used in a sentence: “She resisted the temptation to check her phone during the meeting.”
What is another word for “temptation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “temptation” include fitna.
What part of speech is “temptation”?
“Temptation” is a noun.
Where does the word “temptation” come from?
The word “temptation” comes from Latin. From Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio, built on tempt + the noun-forming suffix -ation.
Is “temptation” a common word?
“Temptation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “temptation” have?
“Temptation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the urge or desire to do something, especially something unwise or forbidden.
What is the difference between temptation and desire?
Temptation specifically refers to the urge to do something unwise or forbidden, carrying a sense of moral or practical risk, while desire is a broader wish for something that need not involve wrongdoing. You can desire a good outcome, but you are tempted specifically toward something you know you probably shouldn't do.
How is "temptation" used to describe a thing rather than a feeling?
Temptation can refer to the object or situation that creates the urge itself, such as calling a dessert menu "a real temptation." In this sense the word shifts from describing the internal pull to describing whatever is causing it.
What does it mean to "resist temptation"?
To resist temptation means to successfully avoid acting on an urge to do something unwise or forbidden, even though the pull to do it is present. The phrase is common in contexts ranging from dieting to ethical decision-making.
