tantalising

From the verb tantalise: (⇒ conjugate)

tantalising is: ⓘ

v pres p (UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tan•ta•lize /ˈtæntəlˌaɪz/   v. [~ + object] , -lized, -liz•ing. 

1. to torment (someone) with, or as if with, the sight of something desirable but out of reach;
   to tease (someone) by raising hopes that cannot be met:
   tantalized her with dreams of a promotion.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tan•ta•liz•ing /ˈtæntəˌlaɪzɪŋ/  adj. 

1. arousing or provoking desire for something, esp. something that cannot actually be obtained:
   a tantalizing look at how millionaires live.
tan•ta•liz•ing•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tan•ta•lize  (tan′tl īz′), v.t., -lized, -liz•ing. 

1. to torment with, or as if with, the sight of something desired but out of reach;
   tease by arousing expectations that are repeatedly disappointed.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] tan′ta•lise′. 

• Tantal(us) + -ize 1590–1600

tan′ta•li•za′tion, n. 
tan′ta•liz′er, n. 
Synonyms

provoke, taunt, tempt; frustrate.

Antonyms

satisfy.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tan•ta•liz•ing  (tan′tl ī′zing), adj. 

1. having or exhibiting something that provokes or arouses expectation, interest, or desire, esp. that which remains unobtainable or beyond one's reach:
   a tantalizing taste of success.

• tantalize + -ing² 1650–60

tan′ta•liz′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tantalize, tantalise / ˈtæntəˌlaɪz/ verb

1. (transitive) to tease or make frustrated, as by tormenting with the sight of something greatly desired but inaccessible

Etymology: 16th Century: from the punishment of Tantalus

ˌtantaliˈzation, ˌtantaliˈsation noun

ˈtantaˌlizing, ˈtantaˌlising adjective

ˈtantaˌlizingly, ˈtantaˌlisingly adverb