tantalize

A little snow fell, but only to tantalise us, for the ground never got covered more than half an inch.

She must tantalise him sufficiently, must keep him on tenterhooks, not make herself too cheap.

Once a day a small ration was doled out--pitifully small--enough to tantalise appetite, but not to still hunger.

The obstacles in his way, however, seemed to increase as circumstances combined to fret and tantalise his hopes.