tease

1 of 2

verb

ˈtēz 

teased; teasing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make fun of : kid

b

: to disturb or annoy by persistent irritating or provoking especially in a petty or mischievous way

c

: to annoy with petty persistent requests : pester

also : to obtain by repeated coaxing

d

: to persuade to acquiesce especially by persistent small efforts : coax

e

: to manipulate or influence as if by teasing

2

: to comb (hair) by taking hold of a strand and pushing the short hairs toward the scalp with the comb

3

: to tantalize especially by arousing desire or curiosity often without intending to satisfy it

4

a

: to disentangle and lay parallel by combing or carding

tease wool

b

: teasel

5

: to tear in pieces

especially : to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination

teasingly

ˈtē-ziŋ-lē 

adverb

tease

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act of teasing : the state of being teased

2

: one that teases

Synonyms

Verb

• chaff
• jive
• joke
• josh
• kid
• rally
• razz
• rib
• ride
• roast

Noun

• baiter
• harasser
• heckler
• mocker
• needler
• persecutor
• quiz
• quizzer
• ridiculer
• taunter
• teaser
• tormentor
• tormenter
• torturer

Choose the Right Synonym for tease

worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts.

worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

Examples of tease in a Sentence

Verb

He and his wife enjoy teasing each other about their different tastes in music.

The other children teased her because she was wearing braces.

He was always teased by his brother about being short.

Oh, don't get so angry. I was just teasing!

The boy's mother told him to stop teasing the dog.

Noun

a pretty girl who has the reputation of being a bit of a tease

The lower rate is just a tease to attract new customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

My redheaded children are definitely teased more for their hair color than the circumstances of their conception. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

The company even bought a 15-second Super Bowl spot in February 2022, cryptically teasing the new car and setting off buzz in the automotive press. —Kathy Gilsinan, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English tesen, from Old English tǣsan; akin to Old High German zeisan to tease

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tease

• tease out

Kids Definition

tease

1 of 2 verb

ˈtēz 

teased; teasing

1

: to untangle and lay parallel by combing or carding

tease wool

2

a

: to annoy continually : pester, torment

b

: tantalize

c

: to make fun of

teaser noun

teasingly

ˈtē-ziŋ-lē 

adverb

tease

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the act of teasing

b

: the state of being teased

2

: one that teases

Medical Definition

tease

transitive verb

ˈtēz 

teased; teasing

: to tear in pieces

especially : to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination