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

This raises the tantalizing prospect of ITV becoming home to the odd Premier League game or Formula One race, though Strong was not specific in outlining her vision. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Dispatch co-host Canada in the Round of 16 today and a potential tantalizing shot at juggernaut France awaits. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

The most tantalizing head-to-head in this half of the draw is still the potential quarterfinal between Gauff and Jessica Pegula. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Now, a wave of new theories offers tantalizing solutions — but which ones portray reality is an open question. — Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of tantalize

First Known Use

circa 1683, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tantalizing

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