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tease

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb tease contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of tease are annoy, harass, harry, pester, plague, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

In what contexts can annoy take the place of tease?

While in some cases nearly identical to tease, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When would harass be a good substitute for tease?

In some situations, the words harass and tease are roughly equivalent. However, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When can harry be used instead of tease?

Although the words harry and tease have much in common, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

Where would pester be a reasonable alternative to tease?

The synonyms pester and tease are sometimes interchangeable, but pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When might plague be a better fit than tease?

The words plague and tease can be used in similar contexts, but plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is it sensible to use worry instead of tease?

The words worry and tease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tease
Noun
With a cheeky tease across social media, Victoria's Secret set fans' hearts pounding. Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 29 July 2025 Following the Season 7 finale cliffhanger, the video teases Jamie Fraser’s (Heughan) possible fate. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Verb
Hours before the podcast episode premiered, the trio teased it once again, with Jason, 37, making an enthusiastic introduction for the pop star. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025 Lana Del Rey has been teasing her upcoming album for more than a year now, but details about the project remain scarce. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tease
Noun
  • Weaver, the California waterfowl coordinator, said others were likely brought in the past few years to chase away Canada geese that have increasingly become a nuisance at parks and golf courses.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The presence of drones has caused alarm in communities—and the buzzing noise has sometimes become a nuisance.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • She’s been booed in stadiums, joked at by mainstream media, and roasted online to the extent that both the NFL and high-profile players have publicly defended her right to attend.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Speaking to Variety from his home in the mountains of Idaho, Glenn jokes about the world-spanning nature of the nomination.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Later, Cano was captured grabbing what appeared to be the DJ’s laptop, taunted the crowd with destroying it, and then flung the device onto the stage platform before stomping on it multiple times, showing off its cracked screen.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
  • After that mistake, Wallace came in with a big hit on a pass at the line of scrimmage, only to be flagged for taunting.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Days prior, McBryde shared a teaser video on Instagram.
    Daniela Avila, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Trump was also featured in a short teaser for Season 27 Episode 2, but whether the president makes the final cut is yet to be seen.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But 20 near the ware washing area crosses the line from annoyance to swarm.
    David J. Neal August 1, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The president has attempted to tamp down questions about the case, expressing annoyance that people are still talking about it six years after Epstein's death.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • More than a quarter of you will be engaging in some piracy this season, and all of your names and email addresses have been handed over to the authorities (kidding!).
    Scott Powers, New York Times, 29 July 2025
  • There’s a big gulf between pro marathoners and high-school track, of course—but don’t kid yourself that they’re not connected.
    Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Although other pests cause similar damage, thrips damage is often associate with numerous small flecks of dark green to black fecal matter.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The European starling is here to stay and continues to be a pest in North America.
    Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Italian American, Rudy Giuliani, had been Koch’s chief tormentor; in his time as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, his scalps had not only included plenty of city officials but also boldfaced names, including Ivan Boesky, Leona Helmsley, and Imelda Marcos.
    Jonathan Mahler, Curbed, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Chicago Cubs outfielder Hack Wilson, irked at the bench jockeying by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Ray Kolp, jumped into the Cincinnati dugout, seeking to punch his tormentor.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tease. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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