tantalizing

American  

[tan-tl-ahy-zing] / ˈtæn tlˌaɪ zɪŋ /

adjective

1. having or exhibiting something that provokes or arouses expectation, interest, or desire, especially that which remains unobtainable or beyond one's reach.

   a tantalizing taste of success.

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Other Word Forms

• tantalizingly adverb
• untantalizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of tantalizing

First recorded in 1650–60; tantalize + -ing ²

Example Sentences

But the tantalizing peculiarities of the characters have been whittled down.

From Los Angeles Times

This suggests the tantalizing prospect that one day he might be able to fulfil political ambitions in Ukraine rather than Russia.

From MarketWatch

For her, there’s still something tantalizing about topping a mixed-genre bill before an audience that may not have heard her music at all.

From Los Angeles Times

But they too had been captivated by the tantalizing smell.

From Literature

Those strides served as a reminder of Bellinger’s tantalizing talent, as well as a sign of his growing maturation as he enters his 10th year in the majors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alluring