1
as in teaser
a person who causes repeated emotional pain, distress, or annoyance to another
she can be a very cruel tease when she happens upon an unpopular girl who is easily hurt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
my youngest brother is a complete tease, following me around everywhere and aping my every move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to joke
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 to taunt
to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
grew up being teased because his parents were hog farmers
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
stop that teasing before you make the baby cry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 tease
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
While this time around things went a bit smoother, the Step Up actress teases that, still, plenty of chaos will ensue.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Poehler teased after the gaffe.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025
Twice early in the second half, Minteh provided teasing inswinging crosses to the back post for Gomez, who met the first of those, but with a poor connection.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2026
Teamwork gets the job done, but Bungie is also teasing unique opportunities for solo players.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tease
Noun
Any tease that the movie could possibly be about anything more — a love triangle, a recently deceased mother, a vet’s puzzlement that Hawaii doesn’t even have rabies — is nothing but a banana peel tripping the audience into expecting a narrative.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
While this time around things went a bit smoother, the Step Up actress teases that, still, plenty of chaos will ensue.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Campbell, Raven-Symoné, and Devine’s roles are teased in the trailer above.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Poehler teased after the gaffe.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
My whole hair life has always revolved around bangs, a lot of teasing, and that ’60s hairdo.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025
Twice early in the second half, Minteh provided teasing inswinging crosses to the back post for Gomez, who met the first of those, but with a poor connection.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Styles first began teasing his return to the stage in late 2025 by sharing a video from his most recent concert in Bologna, Italy.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2026
Teamwork gets the job done, but Bungie is also teasing unique opportunities for solo players.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tease
Adjective
-
Thanksgiving travel is stressful every year, but the 2025 edition definitely has the potential to be extra jitter-inducing.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
22 Nov. 2025
-
The live show looms, nerve-inducing, practically inviting a stress bond.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Melania is shown engaging in less frivolous activities, including meeting with an Israeli woman who was taken hostage by Hamas and is now desperately trying to get her husband freed.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The startup says Applied’s lawsuit is frivolous and filed its own antitrust lawsuit against Applied Systems in Delaware’s Chancery Court in December.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Check out a few inspiring ideas below.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Which isn’t terribly useful or inspiring.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The film certainly earns its MPA R rating with graphic violence that carries a rather nasty tone at times and can sit a little uncomfortably alongside the film’s comic and family drama elements.—
Richard Kuipers,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
-
As wonderful as Wilde is in what’s easily one of her best roles, the equally fearless Hoffman matches her every step of the way, with sly comic timing and poignant vulnerability as Elliot wrestles with anger, humiliation and confusion over what could be lust or love, in spite of everything.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Looking back at her delivery, the mom of three recalls feeling the support of family as well as an extra motivational push from some of the music selections.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Greene crosses the country as an actor, film director and writer, and motivational speaker.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The mainframe cycle has returned, which is both remarkable and somewhat amusing in 2026.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Danish star Bang seems to having a grand time playing the I-want-it-all villain of the piece and is amusing to watch.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His sharp, funny, and unexpectedly comforting voice makes the book a joy to read and turns what could feel grim into something liberating.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Roy Keane is clearly a very funny character who everyone is scared of… Then Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville are just absolutely filled with football.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Your little one can also check out the Kidz Bop Black History Month playlist that highlights inspirational Black musicians and entertainers.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Zadorov return proved to be inspirational.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tease. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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