tantalize

Meaning

1. (transitive) To tease (someone) by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach.
2. (transitive) To bait (someone) by showing something desirable but leaving them unsatisfied.

Synonyms

tease

tempt

taunt

tantalise

allure

entice

bait

razz

seduce

ride

harass

rally

rag

provoke

torment

twit

cod

raise false hope

beguile

chaff

dangle

distress

dupe

excite

excruciate

fascinate

fool

harry

intrigue

kid

🧒

lure

rib

titillate

afflict

Translations

βασανίζω

atormentar

tourmenter

martelen

deridere

ταλαιπωρώ

quälen

στεναχωρώ

peinigen

canzonare

kwellen

sekkieren

🦡

torturer

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtæntəlaɪz/

Etymology

From Tantalus (Ancient Greek Τάνταλος (Tántalos)) in Greek mythology, who was condemned to Tartarus in the underworld. There, he had to stand for eternity in water that receded from him when he stooped to drink, beneath fruit trees whose branches were always out of reach. Derived as Tantalus + -ize.