Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense tantalizes, present participle tantalizing, past tense, past participle tantalizedregional note: in BRIT, also use tantalise
verb
If someone or something tantalizes you, they make you feel hopeful and excited about getting what you want, usually before disappointing you by not letting you have what they appeared to offer.
The boy would come into the room and tantalize the dog with his feed. [VERB noun with noun]
...the dreams of democracy that have so tantalized them. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: torment, tease, taunt, torture More Synonyms of tantalize
tantalizingadjective
A tantalising aroma of roast chicken fills the air.
tantalizinglyadverb [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB with verb]
She went away disappointed after getting tantalisingly close to breaking the record.
A political settlement remains tantalisingly out of reach.
tantalize in British English
or tantalise (ˈtæntəˌlaɪz)
verb
(transitive)
to tease or make frustrated, as by tormenting with the sight of something greatly desired but inaccessible
Derived forms
tantalization (ˌtantaliˈzation) or tantalisation (ˌtantaliˈsation)
noun
tantalizer (ˈtantaˌlizer) or tantaliser (ˈtantaˌliser)
noun
tantalizing (ˈtantaˌlizing) or tantalising (ˈtantaˌlising)
adjective
tantalizingly (ˈtantaˌlizingly) or tantalisingly (ˈtantaˌlisingly)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from the punishment of Tantalus
tantalize in American English
(ˈtæntəˌlaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈtantaˌlized or ˈtantaˌlizing
to tease or disappoint by promising or showing something desirable and then withholding it
Derived forms
tantalization (ˌtantaliˈzation)
noun
tantalizer (ˈtantaˌlizer)
noun
Word origin
< Tantalus + -ize
Examples of 'tantalize' in a sentence
tantalize
The word marriage had been thrown on impulse to tantalize, but it would be the ultimate victory.
Lawson, Jonell ROSES ARE FOR THE RICH (2001)
Had he left it open in order to tantalize her with a glimpse of freedom?
Elizabeth Peters LORD OF THE SILENT (2001)
In other languages
tantalize
British English: tantalize VERB
If someone or something tantalizes you, they make you feel hopeful and excited about getting what you want, usually before disappointing you by not letting you have what they appeared to offer.
The boy would come into the room and tantalize the dog with his feed.
American English: tantalize
Brazilian Portuguese: atormentar
Chinese: > 逗引以可望而不可及之物
European Spanish: martirizar
French: mettre au supplice
German: reizen
Italian: stuzzicare
Japanese: じらす
Korean: 감질나게 하다
European Portuguese: atormentar
Latin American Spanish: torear
(verb)
Definition
to tease or make frustrated, for example by tormenting (someone) with the sight of something that he or she wants but cannot have
He would tantalize the dog with food.
Synonyms
torment
My older brother used to torment me by singing it to me.
tease
When did you last flirt with him or tease him?
taunt
Other youths taunted him about his clothes.
torture
Prisoners were often tortured in ancient Rome.
provoke
entice
lead on
titillate
food to titillate the most jaded of palates
make someone's mouth water
keep someone hanging on
Additional synonyms
in the sense of taunt
Definition
to tease or provoke (someone) with jeering remarks
Other youths taunted him about his clothes.
Synonyms
jeer,
mock,
tease,
ridicule,
provoke,
insult,
torment,
sneer,
deride,
revile,
twit,
take the piss (out of) (taboo, slang),
guy (informal),
gibe
in the sense of tease
Definition
to arouse sexual desire in (someone) with no intention of satisfying it
When did you last flirt with him or tease him?
Synonyms
tantalize,
lead on,
flirt with,
titillate
in the sense of titillate
Definition
to arouse or excite pleasurably, esp. in a sexual way
food to titillate the most jaded of palates
Synonyms
excite,
arouse,
interest,
thrill,
provoke,
turn on (slang),
tease,
tickle,
tantalize
Synonyms of 'tantalize'
tantalize
Explore 'tantalize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of torture
Definition
to cause (someone) extreme physical pain, esp. to extract information, etc.