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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of teasing
Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
After three years of teasing, the fifth season of Stranger Things went into production at the start of 2024 and will finally be released soon in three volumes.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025
As her weight rose, so did the teasing and bullying, crushing her confidence and feeding a harsh inner critic.
—Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Richter and Slater were hard at work in the rehearsal studio this week, as the comedian and pro dancer shared a TikTok teasing some of the technique that viewers can expect to see in their routine.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
These special relationships can be filled with everything from fun and joy to cruel pranks and teasing.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Having a big back refers to someone who's physically big, or who draws gentle teasing for hogging food or being lazy.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Each moment of humor or playful teasing becomes a small affirmation of connection, much like capitalization moments, that reinforces trust and a sense of belonging.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
For millennials, this constant critique may start to feel less like harmless teasing.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
The Japan Mobility Show is in full swing in Tokyo, and some of the largest automotive brands in the world are debuting and teasing vehicle concepts that could shape their future portfolios.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 5 Nov. 2025
During the last 24 hours, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had been teasing that the team had some moves up their sleeves.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The camera then panned to her vanity to reveal a Sephora bag — teasing her new holiday brand deal — knocked over with some items missing.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
The rapper began teasing the 11-song project with some suitably creepy videos and visuals on social media just a few hours before the LP’s midnight release.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
The shoe brand owned by former Wall Street executive Brady Perrigo since 2020 had begun teasing a few pieces for key customers last year and the strong response prompted him to introduce a full menswear collection for fall.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Even many Democratic and independent voters are ambivalent about the governor, who is now openly teasing a 2028 run for president.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Andy Cohen is teasing the Jandy shippers on the latest episode of Call Her Daddy.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
After premiering Die My Love at Cannes earlier this year, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson brought their psychological drama to New York on Saturday — along with their signature teasing of each other.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
After three years of teasing, the fifth season of Stranger Things went into production at the start of 2024 and will finally be released soon in three volumes.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025
As her weight rose, so did the teasing and bullying, crushing her confidence and feeding a harsh inner critic.
—Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Richter and Slater were hard at work in the rehearsal studio this week, as the comedian and pro dancer shared a TikTok teasing some of the technique that viewers can expect to see in their routine.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
These special relationships can be filled with everything from fun and joy to cruel pranks and teasing.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Having a big back refers to someone who's physically big, or who draws gentle teasing for hogging food or being lazy.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Each moment of humor or playful teasing becomes a small affirmation of connection, much like capitalization moments, that reinforces trust and a sense of belonging.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
For millennials, this constant critique may start to feel less like harmless teasing.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
The former Nickelodeon sitcom stars posted a new video on Instagram Wednesday, teasing what appeared to be a casual interaction as Peck sipped on a large drink in a plastic container.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
The Japan Mobility Show is in full swing in Tokyo, and some of the largest automotive brands in the world are debuting and teasing vehicle concepts that could shape their future portfolios.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 5 Nov. 2025
During the last 24 hours, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had been teasing that the team had some moves up their sleeves.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The camera then panned to her vanity to reveal a Sephora bag — teasing her new holiday brand deal — knocked over with some items missing.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
The rapper began teasing the 11-song project with some suitably creepy videos and visuals on social media just a few hours before the LP’s midnight release.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
The shoe brand owned by former Wall Street executive Brady Perrigo since 2020 had begun teasing a few pieces for key customers last year and the strong response prompted him to introduce a full menswear collection for fall.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Even many Democratic and independent voters are ambivalent about the governor, who is now openly teasing a 2028 run for president.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Andy Cohen is teasing the Jandy shippers on the latest episode of Call Her Daddy.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teasing
Noun
-
Online attacks against Banda escalated after her recognition for FIFPRO Women's World 11, prompting the NWSL to issue a statement denouncing all forms of harassment and affirming support for Banda and all players.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Fortunately, Marty, posing as a federal agent here to arrest Lee for harassment, bursts through the One Well doors in the nick of time.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Or, joking around with cruise staff, fans as well as his fellow industry mates.—
Essence,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Others welcomed the move, while some suggested that Abbott was joking.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The kickers were so poor that Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien could have been flagged for taunting by calling for a prevent defense at his own 31-yard line just before halftime.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The child has been taunting Geralt the whole time; the mother, who emerges from the swamp, is desperate for love and warmth and begs for Geralt’s embrace.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Carrie Bradshaw, frankly, has always been a mess — a beautiful, cringe-inducing, selfish, couture-wearing mess.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Just kidding - but honestly not sold on him being the best player on a championship caliber team.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The Aggies coach wasn’t kidding.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The president has spent much of the shutdown mocking Democrats, posting videos of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in a Mexican sombrero.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Netflix’s true-crime documentaries have a recognizable sheen to them—the streamer even released a comedy series mocking its take on the genre.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Fix Our Forests Act will help to unleash the conservation prowess of ranchers by limiting frivolous litigation and streamlining government processes to reduce fuel loads on the landscape at a much faster pace.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.—
Yolande Clark-Jackson,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Your votes will now help decide who will be the next CNN Hero of the Year and receive an additional $100,000 to continue their inspiring work.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
-
At the same time, the Canadian-American relationship has been an inspiring, positive example to the rest of the world.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Teasing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teasing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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