tantalizing

adjective tan·ta·liz·ing \ ˈtan-tə-ˌlī-ziŋ \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of tantalizing

: possessing a quality that arouses or stimulates desire or interest; also : mockingly or teasingly out of reach

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tantalizingly

adverb

Recent Examples of tantalizing from the Web

And then there’s a tantalizing finding that could pave the way to making big gains against tuberculosis, a massive problem globally.

— helen branswell, STAT, "The Gates Foundation rolls outs details of its new biotech, one without a profit motive," 7 June 2018
The role this place, this weapon, as Dolores calls it, will play in determining the park's fate is a tantalizing question.

— sandra upson, WIRED, "Westworld Recap, Season 2 Episode 7: Decoding Da Vinci," 4 June 2018
Yves Sant Laurent Beauty Black Opium Hair Mist is a tantalizing fragrance with notes of coffee and vanilla that will put you in touch with your senses.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What June's Capricorn Horoscope Means for You," 29 May 2018
He's considered little more than a sensational scientific anomaly, yet his relative normalcy and impressive productivity paint a tantalizing picture of a life without the need for sleep.

— ashley fetters, Bon Appetit, "How Sleep Became a Wellness Fixation," 29 May 2018
While he was largely uncredited until the Internet age, his posters offered moviegoers tantalizing glimpses of the raptures awaiting in the cinema darkness.

— robert d. mcfadden, BostonGlobe.com, "Bill Gold, 97; his posters captured movie magic," 22 May 2018
The Colts have nothing if not significant potential in their backfield, from the untapped talents of Marlon Mack, to the short-yardage proficiency of Turbin and the tantalizing skill set of fourth-round pick Nyheim Hines.

— stephen holder, Indianapolis Star, "Coach Tom Rathman challenging Colts running backs to get tougher," 16 May 2018
In addition to providing Gold Glove-caliber defense at all three outfield spots, Jankowski’s best month at the plate – .308/.374/.385 in August – offered a tantalizing glimpse at the sort of table-setter missing in San Diego lineups.

— jeff sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres roster review: Travis Jankowski," 27 Dec. 2017
But the less fortunate have become easy prey for rehabs with a tantalizing promise: freedom from addiction for free.

— amy julia harris and shoshana walter, charlotteobserver, "Drug users got exploited. Disabled patients got hurt. One woman benefited from it all. | Charlotte Observer," 21 May 2018

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