temp ‧ ta ‧ tion /tempˈteɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
1 . a strong desire to have or do something even though you know you should not
temptation to do something
There might be a temptation to cheat if students sit too close together.
Resist the temptation to buy the item until you’re certain you need it.
I finally gave in to the temptation and had a cigarette.
2 . something that makes you want to have or do something, even though you know you should not:
Selling alcohol at truck stops is an unnecessary temptation for drivers.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ resist the temptation to do something
If you feel hungry during the day, resist the temptation to eat chocolate.
▪ give in to temptation (=do what you feel you want to do)
Be strong – don’t give in to temptation.
▪ succumb/yield to temptation formal (=give in to temptation)
Lorna succumbed to temptation and ordered the apple pie.
▪ avoid the temptation to do something
Avoid the temptation to cheat.
▪ there is a temptation to do something
There is also the temptation to pay for the whole thing with a credit card.
■ adjectives
▪ great/strong
There is a strong temptation to ignore all the potential problems.
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The temptation was too great for her to resist.
▪ overwhelming
He felt an overwhelming temptation to kiss her.