as in tempting
having a strong power to provoke or hold interest
The menu included a selection of tantalizing desserts.
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as in intriguing
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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tantalizing
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
The potential is too tantalizing.
—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
Justice Delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
This was a snapshot of the 2026 Orioles — tantalizing upside, frustrating downside, and now even more pressure on an underwhelming rotation.
—
Josh Tolentino,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tantalizing
Adjective
And when Biden withdrew from the campaign and endorsed Harris, the most tantalizing victory of all was at hand.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
The potential is too tantalizing.
—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
Verb
Eldridge may have tantalizing upside, but asking him to breathe life into San Francisco’s offense is a tall ask for a rookie who’s only had a cup of coffee.
—
Justice Delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
This was a snapshot of the 2026 Orioles — tantalizing upside, frustrating downside, and now even more pressure on an underwhelming rotation.
—
Josh Tolentino,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tantalizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tantalizing
Adjective
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That is why cruise sales are so tempting.
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Here's what designers would never buy at a yard sale—no matter how tempting the deal.
Verb
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The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.
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His 6-foot-6 frame and power potential offer intriguing athletic tools.
Verb
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But the Knicks came all the way back, finally winning it on OG’s thrilling putback, ending the greatest comeback the NBA Finals had ever seen.
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The match, despite the torrential rain, was thrilling and ranks alongside 2022 as the greatest of World Cup finals.
Verb
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Major Wilson, 17, has been around horses most of his life and now spends much of his time helping younger riders get ready, showing them how to saddle their horses without exciting them.
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For Harrington and her husband Dante, the thought of triplets was shocking but exciting all the same.
Cite this Entry
“Tantalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tantalizing. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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