Temptation

An urge or desire to do something, especially something that is not advisable or morally right, Something that attracts or entices someone to do or have something, The action of tempting or enticing someone

Temptation - Meanings

An urge or desire to do something, especially something that is not advisable or morally right

Example: She felt the temptation to cheat on the exam, but she resisted it.

Usage: formalContext: moral or ethical discussions, religious contexts, personal dilemmas

Note: This is the most common meaning of 'temptation' and is often associated with internal struggles or conflicts.

Something that attracts or entices someone to do or have something

Example: The decadent chocolate cake was a temptation she couldn't resist.

Usage: informalContext: food, shopping, material desires

Note: This meaning focuses on external factors that lure or seduce individuals into certain actions or choices.

The action of tempting or enticing someone

Example: He succumbed to the temptation of easy money and got involved in illegal activities.

Usage: formalContext: legal, moral, or ethical discussions

Note: This meaning emphasizes the act of tempting or persuading someone to do something they might regret.

Temptation's synonyms

urge

An impulse or strong desire to do something.

Example: She felt the urge to eat the delicious dessert.

Note: While similar to temptation, an urge may not necessarily involve a moral dilemma or resistance to a negative action.

desire

A strong feeling of wanting to have or do something.

Example: He had a strong desire to buy the expensive watch.

Note: Desire is a more general term that can encompass a wide range of wants and needs, while temptation often implies a struggle between what is desired and what is morally right.

craving

An intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing.

Example: She had a craving for chocolate after seeing the advertisement.

Note: Craving typically refers to a strong, specific desire for something, often a particular food or substance, whereas temptation can be more broad in its scope.

enticement

Something that attracts or tempts, especially with the promise of pleasure or reward.

Example: The enticing aroma of freshly baked bread was an enticement to enter the bakery.

Note: Enticement focuses on the alluring aspect of something that attracts or seduces, while temptation often involves a moral dilemma or internal struggle.

Temptation expressions, common phrases

Give in to temptation

To succumb to the allure or desire of something, usually something considered wrong or unwise.

Example: She tried to resist the urge to eat the cake, but eventually gave in to temptation.

Note: The phrase 'give in to temptation' specifically focuses on succumbing to the desire or allure of something, emphasizing the act of yielding to temptation.

Resist temptation

To try to avoid or withstand the allure or desire of something, usually something considered wrong or unwise.

Example: He knew he shouldn't spend money on unnecessary items, so he tried hard to resist temptation.

Note: Contrary to 'give in to temptation,' 'resist temptation' emphasizes the effort to avoid or withstand the allure of something, highlighting the act of self-control.

Lead into temptation

To cause someone to be tempted or attracted to something, often leading to giving in to the temptation.

Example: The luxurious display of watches in the store led him into temptation, and he ended up buying one.

Note: This phrase shifts the focus to the external influence or factor that causes someone to be tempted, resulting in a specific action.

Tempt fate

To deliberately invite or challenge luck or destiny, especially in a dangerous or risky manner.

Example: She knew it was risky to go hiking alone at night, but she decided to tempt fate.

Note: Unlike the concept of yielding to temptation, 'tempt fate' involves challenging or provoking destiny or luck, often in a reckless manner.

Resist the temptation to do something

To make an effort to avoid or withstand the allure of doing something, especially when it is considered inappropriate.

Example: He had to resist the temptation to check his phone during the important meeting.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the conscious effort to avoid engaging in a specific action that is tempting, highlighting the act of self-discipline.

Succumb to temptation

To give in to a strong desire or urge, usually one that is considered wrong or harmful.

Example: Despite knowing the health risks, she succumbed to the temptation of smoking cigarettes.

Note: Similar to 'give in to temptation,' 'succumb to temptation' underscores the act of yielding to a strong desire, often with negative consequences.

Tempting fate

Engaging in risky or dangerous behavior that challenges luck or destiny.

Example: Playing with fire is like tempting fate; it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong.

Note: 'Tempting fate' conveys the idea of engaging in behaviors that provoke or challenge destiny or luck, often with a sense of inevitability regarding negative outcomes.

Temptation everyday (slang) expressions

Cave in to temptation

To give in or yield to temptation, usually after trying to resist it for a while.

Example: She couldn't resist any longer and caved in to temptation by ordering the dessert.

Note: Similar to 'give in to temptation,' but emphasizes a sense of surrender or submission.

Fall into temptation

To be lured or drawn into temptation, often gradually or unintentionally.

Example: He knew he was falling into temptation when he started spending all his money on designer clothes.

Note: Implies a gradual descent into temptation, as opposed to a sudden surrender.

Be temped

Feeling the desire or urge to give in to temptation.

Example: I'm so tempted to skip work today and go to the beach instead.

Note: Informal shortening of 'tempted,' used in colloquial language.

Falling for temptation

Being deceived or misled by temptation, often resulting in negative consequences.

Example: She knew she was falling for temptation when she started lying to her friends to cover up her secret shopping sprees.

Note: Highlights the idea of being tricked or misled by temptation, leading to unfavorable outcomes.

Dive into temptation

To eagerly and enthusiastically embrace or engage in temptation.

Example: He decided to dive into temptation and indulge in a shopping spree despite his budget constraints.

Note: Conveys a sense of eagerness or enthusiasm when succumbing to temptation.

Giving in to the craving

Yielding to a strong desire or impulse, especially related to indulging in something tempting.

Example: She was exhausted after a long day and ended up giving in to the craving for a slice of cake.

Note: Focuses on succumbing to a specific intense desire rather than a general temptation.

Getting lured in

Being enticed or seduced by temptation, often through deceptive means.

Example: He was getting lured in by the shiny advertisements and ended up spending more money than he intended.

Note: Emphasizes the act of being attracted or allured by temptation, sometimes against one's better judgment.

Temptation - Examples

Temptation is hard to resist.

She gave in to the temptation and ate the whole cake.

The temptation of the forbidden fruit was too strong for Adam and Eve.

Temptation grammar

Temptation - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: temptation

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): temptations, temptation

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): temptation

Syllables, Separation and Stress

temptation Contains 3 syllables: temp • ta • tion

Phonetic transcription: tem(p)-ˈtā-shən

temp ta tion , tem(p) ˈtā shən (The red syllable is stressed)

Temptation - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

temptation: ~ 3900 (Common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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