tantalizing

adjective

tan·​ta·​liz·​ing ˈtan-tə-ˌlī-ziŋ 

: possessing a quality that arouses or stimulates desire or interest

also : mockingly or teasingly out of reach

tantalizingly adverb

Examples of tantalizing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Negotiating one deal with Ukraine and then another with Russia, then hoping the two get close enough to hold, provides the tantalizing illusion of progress, but in practice leads nowhere. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025

Below, a brief moment of reprieve from all the other holiday sale blasts and the tantalizing pages of deals on Amazon for some light aromatherapy. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025

His military background and ability to connect with more than Democrats offered a tantalizing possibility for the new ticket. —Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 23 Nov. 2025

Maple salt adds a sweet-savory punch to rubs and stews, and maple sugar is used to give cocktails a smooth and tantalizing finish. —Pamela MacNaughtan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of tantalize

First Known Use

circa 1683, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tantalizing

• advertising
• amortizing
• analyzing
• anodizing
• appetizing
• atomizing
• authorising
• authorizing
• carbonizing
• carburizing
• catalyzing
• centralising