tantalize

play

verb tan·ta·lize \ˈtan-tə-ˌlīz\

Definition of tantalize

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

See tantalize defined for English-language learners

See tantalize defined for kids

tantalize was our Word of the Day on 04/06/2010. Hear the podcast!

Examples of tantalize in a Sentence

She was tantalized by the possibility of earning a lot of money quickly.

Recent Examples of tantalize from the Web

Expect to be tantalized by its sweet taste and hues of blue that might be just as mesmerizing as the mythical creature itself.

— star-telegram, star-telegram.com, "Mythically inspired Coconut Mermaid Water from the Omni helps cool the summer heat," 5 July 2017
Agudelo has quietly scored seven goals this season for the Revs—that ties his career high—and continues to tantalize with his skill.

— brian straus, SI.com, "USA's Gold Cup roster: Projecting Arena's 23, plus knockout round swaps," 20 June 2017
PIEVE TORINA, Italy — After a series of powerful earthquakes struck Italy last year, Martin Wikelski rushed here to test a hunch that has tantalized scientists and thinkers for millenniums: Can animals anticipate natural disasters?

— elisabetta povoledo, Alaska Dispatch News, "Can animals predict earthquakes? This Italian farm is just the lab for a test," 18 June 2017
PIEVE TORINA, Italy — After a series of powerful earthquakes struck Italy last year, Martin Wikelski rushed here to test a hunch that has tantalized scientists and thinkers for millenniums: Can animals anticipate natural disasters?

— elisabetta povoledo, Alaska Dispatch News, "Can animals predict earthquakes? This Italian farm is just the lab for a test," 18 June 2017
PIEVE TORINA, Italy — After a series of powerful earthquakes struck Italy last year, Martin Wikelski rushed here to test a hunch that has tantalized scientists and thinkers for millenniums: Can animals anticipate natural disasters?

— elisabetta povoledo, New York Times, "Can Animals Predict Earthquakes? Italian Farm Acts as a Lab to Find Out," 17 June 2017
These are my favorite fried pickles in Chicago right now: a tongue-tantalizing balance of moisture and crunch, with tang and creaminess in every bite.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "22 must-try vegetarian dishes," 9 June 2017
The investment is a sizable bet on the future of the home renovation and design market, a giant industry that has long tantalized Silicon Valley...

— eliot brown, WSJ, "Houzz Raising $400 Million at $4 Billion Valuation," 8 June 2017
What makes them not only fundamental to the investigations now enveloping the White House, but also tantalizing for Trump critics to pose is the possibility that someone might actually be able to answer them.

— marc selverstone, The Atlantic, "American Presidents for Decades Secretly Recorded Their Conversations," 23 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tantalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Pity poor King Tantalus of Phrygia. The mythic monarch offended the ancient Greek gods. As punishment, 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 reached for them, they would retreat from him. Our word tantalize is taken from the name of the eternally tormented king.

Origin and Etymology of tantalize

Tantalus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1597

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TANTALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

tantalize

play

verb

Definition of tantalize for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone) to feel interest or excitement about something that is very attractive, appealing, etc.

TANTALIZE Defined for Kids

tantalize

play

verb tan·ta·lize \ˈtan-tə-ˌlīz\

Definition of tantalize for Students

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

History for tantalize

There was once, so Greek mythology tells us, a king named Tantalus who was not a good man. He murdered his own son and served him as food to the gods. For this the king was punished by being made to stand underneath a fruit tree in water up to his chin. If he bent his head to drink, the water got lower and he could not reach it. If he lifted his head to bite into a fruit, the bough went higher and he could not reach it. He was made miserable by food and drink kept just out of reach. The word tantalize comes from the name of this mythical king.