temptation
/tɛm(p)ˈteɪʃ(ə)n
/noun
1The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise: he resisted the temptation to call Celia at the office [mass noun]: we almost gave in to temptation...
- So James tells us where we must look for the source of our temptations to do wrong.
- This division causes man to feel a dual temptation, the desire to rise to God and the downward pull of Satan.
- In other words, once we are in heaven with all the saints, all temptations and all desires for sin will be done away with.
Synonyms
desire, urge, itch, impulse, inclination
1.1A thing that attracts or tempts someone: the temptations of life in London...
- I have in the past succumbed to temptation, lured by attractive coloured labels.
- Stripped of our comforts and distractions, we continue to face our strongest temptations.
- From furniture to fashion, the wide array of stalls offer great temptations to those with a discerning taste.
Synonyms
lure, allurement, enticement, seduction, attraction, draw, pull, invitation;
bait, decoy, snare, trap, siren song
informal come-on
allure, appeal, attraction, attractiveness, fascination
1.2 (the Temptation) The tempting of Jesus by the Devil (see Matt. 4).
Origin
Middle English: from Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio(n-), from temptare 'handle, test, try'.