- (transitive) to tease or make frustrated, as by tormenting with the sight of something greatly desired but inaccessible
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
tan•ta•lize /ˈtæntəlˌaɪz/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -lized, -liz•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to torment (someone) with, or as if with, the sight of something desirable but out of reach;
to tease (someone) by raising hopes that cannot be met:tantalized her with dreams of a promotion.
tan•ta•lize
(tan′tl īz′),USA pronunciation v.t., -lized, -liz•ing.
tan′ta•li•za′tion, n.
tan′ta•liz′er, n.
- to torment with, or as if with, the sight of something desired but out of reach;
tease by arousing expectations that are repeatedly disappointed.
- Tantal(us) + -ize 1590–1600
tan′ta•liz′er, n.
- provoke, taunt, tempt; frustrate.
- satisfy.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
tantalize, tantalise /ˈtæntəˌlaɪz/ vb
'tantalize' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):