Synonyms of tantalize

tantalize

verb

as in to intrigue

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

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

Related Words

• intrigue
• excite
• thrill
• interest
• titillate
• electrify
• intoxicate
• galvanize
• stimulate
• arouse
• inspire
• provoke
• delight
• exhilarate
• incite
• turn on
• captivate
• enchant
• mesmerize
• pump up
• enthrall
• hypnotize
• bewitch
• charm
• charge
• rivet
• spellbind

Dissimilar Words

• bore
• weary
• pall
• discourage
• tire
• demoralize
• dishearten
• jade
• dispirit
• deject

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tantalize

This mystery has tantalized scientists since Charles Darwin mused on it in 1871, spawning no shortage of competing theories about the origins of Earth’s biology around four billion years ago. — Philip Ball, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026

Rebecca seems sinister but is also tantalizing, especially to Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie), a shy secretary who becomes Rebecca’s… confidant? — Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

Bustling Lisbon and the sunny Algarve coast are well known to tourists (for good reason), but quieter places also offer tantalizing tastes of Portuguese flavor. — Rick Steves, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026

The pilot episode of the legendary sitcom premiered on NBC on July 5, 1989, changing television by focusing on everyday — often absurd — occurrences instead of tantalizing drama, serial plots or episodic story arcs. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

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