Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The act of tempting or the condition of being tempted.
  • noun Something tempting or enticing.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The act of testing or trying; trial. [Archaic.]
  • noun Enticement to evil, as by specious argument, flattery, or the offer of some real or apparent good.
  • noun The state of being tempted, or enticed to evil.
  • noun That which tempts, or entices to evil; an enticement; an allurement; any tempting or alluring object.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The act of tempting, or enticing to evil; seduction.
  • noun The state of being tempted, or enticed to evil.
  • noun That which tempts; an inducement; an allurement, especially to something evil.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The act of tempting
  • noun The condition of being tempted.
  • noun Something attractive, tempting or seductive; an inducement or enticement.
  • noun Pressure applied to your thinking designed to create wrong emotions which will eventually lead to wrong actions.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire
  • noun something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
  • noun the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Accordingly it was found that the poor old trot could say only, _Lead us into temptation, or Lead us not into no temptation_.

    Among My Books First Series James Russell Lowell 1855

  • Pope Benedict XVI, at an outdoor Mass in Ancona, Italy, prayed for victims and urged the world to resist what he called the "temptation toward hatred" and instead work for solidarity, justice and peace.

    Ceremonies around the world honor 9/11 victims 2011

  • When he gets close the temptation is there to horse him the last couple feet but don't.

    Several people have expressed interest in flyfishing. 2009

  • When he gets close the temptation is there to horse him the last couple feet but don't.

    Several people have expressed interest in flyfishing. 2009

  • Whether it's a changing of seasons, or a great day, or a shitty day, or reuniting with old friends, the temptation is always there.

    The Tale of the $500 and Nic O'Teen 2005

  • Yes, the temptation is always there, but the discipline required to become an NBA player, the privilege and honor that goes with being an NBA player, prohibits you from ever crossing that line.

    USATODAY.com 2004

  • Yes, the temptation is always there, but the discipline required to become an NBA player, the privilege and honor that goes with being an NBA player, prohibits you from ever crossing that line.

    USATODAY.com 2004

  • The first temptation when it comes to budgeting is what we call the temptation of the false emergency.

    CNN Transcript Aug 21, 2001 2001

  • It was not with the hope of dying young that she wished to go and face death daily, but in the earnest desire to escape from what she called her temptation, and to regain that peace of mind which had been hers for a long time and now was gone.

    The White Sister 1881

  • Christ's use of this sword in the temptation is our pattern as to how we are to wield it against Satan (Mt 4: 4, 7, 10).

    Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

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