titillation

American  

[tit-l-ey-shuhn] / ˌtɪt lˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of pleasantly exciting or arousing the senses, emotions, or imagination, often in a sexually suggestive way.

   We strongly condemn journalists who rely on sensationalism and titillation to sell newspapers.

   Elevating the soul through masterful titillation of the senses is what real cooking is all about.

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Etymology

Origin of titillation

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin titillātiōn-, stem of titillātiō, equivalent to tītillāt(us) + -iō -ion ( def. ); titillate ( def. )

Example Sentences

These patchwork visions have a restrained, contemplative air that carefully weighs the seriousness of their themes without ever dipping into melodrama or titillation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

But unlike that movie, which wobbled uncomfortably between titillation and moral panic, Bravo’s version of King’s story is sure-footed, her vision clear-eyed and genuinely risk-taking.

From Washington Post • Jun. 30, 2021

Then there’s what you’re doing as a larger member of the group making the show, where you’re trying to tell the story appropriately so it doesn’t become a kind of macabre titillation event.

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2020

Lately, however, Howard’s bare-knuckled methods drew more than titillation and newsstand sales.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2020

When she did recall him, it was with respect quite different from the titillation that dancing men had sometimes aroused, or the impression of manicured agreeableness and efficiency which Jeff Saxton carried about.

From Free Air by Lewis, Sinclair