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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Recent Examples of tantalizing
Phil De Luna, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Okay, maybe that's a part of it, but Manning also possesses a tantalizing skill set, with the ability to dominate both through the air and on the ground.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
That’s tantalizing food for thought for potential time travelers.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tantalizing
Adjective
Each approach is tantalizing, none assured.
—Phil De Luna, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Okay, maybe that's a part of it, but Manning also possesses a tantalizing skill set, with the ability to dominate both through the air and on the ground.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
But under the surface, there’s a political trend line that’s quite troubling for one side (Democrats) and tantalizing for the other (Republicans).
—Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
That’s tantalizing food for thought for potential time travelers.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tantalizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tantalizing
Adjective
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According to the surveys, the most common danger zones are heights — waterfalls, rooftops, bridges and cliffs that are especially tempting backdrops for dramatic selfies.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
31 Aug. 2025
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Some cottages even come with private outdoor soaking tubs, the kind of detail that makes staying put just as tempting as venturing out.—
Keyla Vasconcellos,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The global fashion retail scene hasn’t been easy lately, so if fresh creativity and design can help turn businesses around — even just a little — that’s already thrilling.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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That people might be falling for the Minneapolis shooter’s scribblings and raging at each other over potential motivations is likely thrilling to potential copycat killers—proof that the troll still works.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tantalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tantalizing. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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