as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
stop that teasing before you make the baby cry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in joking
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in taunting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in kidding
to make fun of in a good-natured way
likes to tease her twin brother about his seemingly endless string of girlfriends
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in mocking
to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
grew up being teased because his parents were hog farmers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of teasing
Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
His teasing took on a sharper edge.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Each rendezvous, complete with soap opera–worthy drama—hoarding, cheeky teasing, Alex Honnold–worthy climbing, slow-mo acrobatics, and aggression that made gathered onlookers gasp—further cemented our similarities as species.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
The one teasing bit of historical intrigue comes when Le Bail’s lawyer (Elijah Wood) insists that the rules state each clan must attack Grace and Faith using weapons from the era in which their ancestors made their satanic pact.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Overall, Mau took his time letting mixes build, extending a teasing, slow burn style that exemplified restraint and good taste, and always paid off when the beat dropped.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2026
Cawood introduced Gavitt — a snippet of Cawood’s remarks were carried on the telecast, subjecting him to considerable teasing — who spoke live on national television at the front of a Hyatt ballroom full of people.
—Bill Hancock, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Most of the threat to Iceland came from wingers Lauren James on the left and Lauren Hemp on the right, who cut inside delivering teasing crosses.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
The video prompted some unexpected playground-level teasing and a surge in Big Arch interest.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Downey said, teasing the crowd that gave him a standing ovation during his entrance.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Less than two months after teasing the first Kia PV5 pop-up camper van, Sussex Campervans has revealed its work.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Drake has been teasing an album called Iceman for months.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Since 2024, Madonna has been teasing that her next album will be a sequel to 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Though no release date or further information was given, Madonna has been teasing the project since December 2024.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026
Since then, Swalwell’s support among organized labor, congressional allies and campaign donors has evaporated in the week since liberal influencers began posting vague accusations that Swalwell abused female staff and teasing forthcoming investigative articles.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Lena Dunham‘s memoir Famesick is out on Tuesday, and the writer-actress has been teasing some of the bombshell revelations in various interviews.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
This was 1967, back when teachers said teasing should be ignored.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
His teasing took on a sharper edge.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Each rendezvous, complete with soap opera–worthy drama—hoarding, cheeky teasing, Alex Honnold–worthy climbing, slow-mo acrobatics, and aggression that made gathered onlookers gasp—further cemented our similarities as species.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
The one teasing bit of historical intrigue comes when Le Bail’s lawyer (Elijah Wood) insists that the rules state each clan must attack Grace and Faith using weapons from the era in which their ancestors made their satanic pact.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Overall, Mau took his time letting mixes build, extending a teasing, slow burn style that exemplified restraint and good taste, and always paid off when the beat dropped.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2026
Cawood introduced Gavitt — a snippet of Cawood’s remarks were carried on the telecast, subjecting him to considerable teasing — who spoke live on national television at the front of a Hyatt ballroom full of people.
—Bill Hancock, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Most of the threat to Iceland came from wingers Lauren James on the left and Lauren Hemp on the right, who cut inside delivering teasing crosses.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
The video prompted some unexpected playground-level teasing and a surge in Big Arch interest.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
Since then, Earle has been teasing her response to Cooper online.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Downey said, teasing the crowd that gave him a standing ovation during his entrance.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Less than two months after teasing the first Kia PV5 pop-up camper van, Sussex Campervans has revealed its work.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Drake has been teasing an album called Iceman for months.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Since 2024, Madonna has been teasing that her next album will be a sequel to 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Though no release date or further information was given, Madonna has been teasing the project since December 2024.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026
Since then, Swalwell’s support among organized labor, congressional allies and campaign donors has evaporated in the week since liberal influencers began posting vague accusations that Swalwell abused female staff and teasing forthcoming investigative articles.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Lena Dunham‘s memoir Famesick is out on Tuesday, and the writer-actress has been teasing some of the bombshell revelations in various interviews.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teasing
Noun
-
Many involve access problems for, or harassment of, students with disabilities.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Liman’s decision dropped Lively’s claims of harassment, defamation and conspiracy, meaning the trial will now center on alleged breach of contract and retaliation by Wayfarer and aiding and abetting retaliation by the PR firm working for Baldoni.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Liam keeps joking about it on Twitter.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This is a serious fridge for people who aren’t joking about their wine collections.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Myrsiades said Hennessey spotted a white Mercedes SUV linked to a suspect accused of making bomb threats and taunting local law enforcement agencies.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Then, guards who worked for the contractor Critical Response Strategies began taunting detainees, threatening to enter the cage where immigrants were held.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For those looking for something more adrenaline-inducing, this Small Luxury Hotels of the World member is a quick five-minute drive to the slopes of Europe’s northernmost ski resort, Saariselkä Ski & Sport Resort.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The limited animation, built around Xerox-style images of the characters with various frozen expressions, is a little headache-inducing.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just kidding, but that would’ve been awesome.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The interviewer said that Phillips, 65, was not kidding.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Punk then resorted to mocking Reigns.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In non-CinemaCon news, the looksmaxx influencer managed to unite the internets in mocking his dew-eyed meltdown and interview walk-off over being asked modestly difficult questions about his reputation (instead of being asked, say, which moisturizer is best for post-jaw hammering).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Still looking for their multi-million-dollar payday, the Cascios brought back Howard King and are grasping at straws through this frivolous filing.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Due to this frivolous spending, the county now has less than two months of operating expenses on hand.—
Rebecca Jones,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That was really inspiring to me.—
Adelle Platon,
VIBE.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
And the band will perform that album’s inspiring and invigorating songs the way they’re meant to be heard, live and in person, on the Congo Square Stage on May 1st.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Teasing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teasing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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