Tantalize
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈtæntəlaɪz/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Tantalize is a verb meaning (transitive) To tease (someone) by offering or showing them something desirable but leaving them unsatisfied.
Meaning
(transitive) To tease (someone) by offering or showing them something desirable but leaving them unsatisfied.
More Meanings
- (intransitive, obsolete) To be teased by something desirable that is kept out of reach.
Example Sentences
They could not bear to be tantalized nor tortured by the splendid delusion.
“It was—simply amazing,” she repeated abstractedly. “But I swore I wouldn’t tell it and here I am tantalizing you.”
As we threaded our dim way through the labyrinth with the aid of map and compass[…]we were repeatedly tantalized by the sculptured walls along our route.
The poore people in Corinth did ſee, and ſmell, vvhat the rich men taſted, Tantalizing all the vvhile, and having their penury doubled by the Antiperiſtaſis of others plenty[…]
Word Forms
- tantalizes
- tantalizing
- tantalized
- tantalise
Synonyms for tantalize
Depending on context, synonyms include taunt, torment, cod, tease, twit, rally.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include taunt, bedevil, twit, rag, frustrate, tease.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.