tantalizing

1 of 2

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

tantalizing

2 of 2

present participle of tantalize

Examples of tantalizing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Mitchell also spoke of the tantalizing defensive possibilities with a roster featuring Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and himself. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

This has told them that 3I/ATLAS contains more nitrogen than the typical comet from our own solar system — revealing a tantalizing clue about how the strange comet formed. — Rahul Rao, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026

That is one of the tantalizing questions bubbling up in A Talent for Murder, in which Helen Mirren embodies Highsmith in all her devious, scowling genius. — Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

But that talent combined with Heupel’s penchant for QB development is a tantalizing prospect. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of tantalize

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1683, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tantalizing

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