tantalize
verb
tan·ta·lize ˈtan-tə-ˌlīz 
tantalized; tantalizing
transitive verb
: to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach
intransitive verb
: to cause one to be tantalized
tantalizer noun
Did you know?
Pity poor King Tantalus of Lydia. The mythic monarch offended the ancient Greek gods. As punishment, according to Homer's Odyssey, he was plunged up to his chin in water in Hades, where he had to stand beneath overhanging boughs of a tree heavily laden with ripe, juicy fruit. But though he was always hungry and thirsty, Tantalus could neither drink the water nor eat the fruit. Anytime he moved to get them, they would retreat from his reach. Our word tantalize is taken from the name of the eternally tormented king.
Example Sentences
She was tantalized by the possibility of earning a lot of money quickly.
Recent Examples on the Web The words and beats tantalize the imagination and unleash emotions that have, for so many people, been stifled: joy, abandon. 
Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 29 July 2022 And even in the off-season, these leagues continue to tantalize their fan bases with draft day spectacles and trade rumor intrigue. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 23 July 2022 That means a number of new titles will tantalize come August, while others will retire to the content stables until Farmer Sarandos comes knocking again. Keith Langston, EW.com, 20 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2022 And one of the obligatory end-credits sequences will tantalize followers of Ted Lasso. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2022 See More
Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 29 July 2022 And even in the off-season, these leagues continue to tantalize their fan bases with draft day spectacles and trade rumor intrigue. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 23 July 2022 That means a number of new titles will tantalize come August, while others will retire to the content stables until Farmer Sarandos comes knocking again. Keith Langston, EW.com, 20 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2022 And one of the obligatory end-credits sequences will tantalize followers of Ted Lasso. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2022 Take every opportunity in April to tantalize all five of your senses! Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Tantalus
First Known Use
1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
tantalize
verb
tan·ta·lize ˈtan-tə-ˌlīz
tantalized; tantalizing
: to tease or excite by or as if by showing, mentioning, or offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach
Annemarie always tried … to build up the suspense and tantalize her sister. Lois Lowry, Number the Stars
Lois Lowry, Number the Starstantalizers
noun
as in perverters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- perverters
- depravers
- debauchers
- debasers
- undoers
- beguilers
- degraders
- sirens
- temptresses
- corruptors
- corrupters
- inveiglers
- inducers
- bribers
- enchantresses
- persuaders
- seducers
- solicitors
- tempters
- baiters