temptation

temptation — noun

1. The strong internal pull you feel when you want to do something you know is wron

1.nounB1
Definition

The strong internal pull you feel when you want to do something you know is wrong, unwise, or harmful, even while you are trying to avoid it.

Example

Anna resisted the strong temptation to check her phone during the two-hour exam.

resist the temptation to + infinitive

On a diet, Liam could not resist the temptation to eat one more piece of cake.

cannot resist the temptation to + infinitive

Common collocations
  • resist temptation
  • give in to temptation
  • overcome temptation
  • fight temptation
  • yield to temptation
  • temptation to + infinitive
  • strong temptation
  • sudden temptation
Synonyms
  • urge

    Stronger instinctive drive, less focused on moral conflict

  • desire

    Broader term, does not carry the sense of forbidden or wrong

  • longing

    More emotional and wistful, less urgent than temptation

Antonyms
  • resistance

    The act of not giving in to temptation

  • self-control

    The personal quality that helps one resist temptation

Grammar Patterns

temptation + to-infinitive

the temptation of + noun/gerund

resist/give in to temptation

Usage Note

Often followed by a to-infinitive that names the unwanted action. Can be uncountable when referring to the general feeling (He struggled with temptation) or countable when referring to a specific urge (a sudden temptation to scream).

Common Mistakes

He couldn't help the temptation of eating the whole cake.
He couldn't resist the temptation of eating the whole cake.
'resist' is the standard collocation; 'help' is not used with 'temptation.'

2. Any person, thing, or situation whose strong appeal pulls you toward an action y

2.nounB1
Definition

Any person, thing, or situation whose strong appeal pulls you toward an action you would normally avoid.

Example

The box of chocolates sitting on the kitchen counter was a constant temptation for Padma.

be a temptation for [someone]

For someone quitting smoking, an open pack on the table is a terrible temptation.

Common collocations
  • be a temptation for (someone)
  • constant temptation
  • terrible temptation
  • great temptation
  • irresistible temptation
Synonyms
  • lure

    Emphasises deception or trickery; something that pulls you in by false promise

  • bait

    Deliberately used to trap or catch someone; more intentional than temptation

  • draw

    Neutral and less negative; can be positive or simply attractive

Antonyms
  • deterrent

    Something that discourages action rather than encourages it

Grammar Patterns

be + a temptation + for/to + person

a + adjective + temptation

Usage Note

Almost always countable. Often used with the verb 'be' to describe something as an obstacle to a person's self-discipline. The object of the preposition is typically a person or a group: 'a temptation for dieters.'

Word family

  • tempt
    verbB1
  • tempting
    adjectiveB1
  • tempted
    adjectiveB1
  • temptingly
    adverbB2
  • untempting
    adjectiveC1
  • tempter
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Temptation, urge, desire, and lure all refer to wanting something, but differ in moral weight and intensity. Temptation specifically involves wanting something you believe you should avoid — it carries a sense of inner conflict between wanting and knowing better. Urge is a sudden, strong impulse that may or may not be wrong (an urge to sneeze vs. an urge to steal). Desire is the broadest term, covering everything from basic needs to deep wants, with no built-in sense of wrongness. Lure suggests a trap or false promise — something deliberately designed to pull you in. For the forbidden-urge sense of temptation, 'urge' is the closest neutral substitute but loses the moral dimension, while 'lure' carries more deception than simple internal wanting.

temptation ↗urge ↗desire ↗lure ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • temptation of (something)
  • temptation for (someone)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Temptation entered English through Middle English 'temptacioun', from Old French 'temptacion', which came from Latin 'temptatio' (a testing, trial). The root Latin verb 'temptare' meant to test, try, or feel — originally a neutral idea of putting something to the test, which later shifted toward the sense of trying to lead someone into wrongdoing.