tantalizing

[ tan-tl-ahy-zing ]

/ ˈtæn tlˌaɪ zɪŋ /

adjective

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.

Nearby words

tantalate, tantalic, tantalic acid, tantalite, tantalize, tantalizing, tantalous, tantalum, tantalus, tantalus monkey, tantamount

Origin of tantalizing

First recorded in 1650–60; tantalize + -ing²

Related formstan·ta·liz·ing·ly, adverbun·tan·ta·liz·ing, adjective

Can be confusedtantalizing titillating

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tantalizingly

The White-Haired Man (James Morrison), so tantalizingly creepy in his appearance last season, was felled pretty quickly.
‘Revenge’: What Went Wrong with ABC’s Once-Daring Thriller?|Jace Lacob|March 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After months of debate, lawmakers seeking to pass health-care reform are tantalizingly close to the goal line.
The Democrats' Doomsday Health Plans|Benjamin Sarlin|January 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Rich in mythology and character development, and tantalizingly complex, Lost is not something to be watched passively.
The Lost Season|Allyssa Lee|September 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Betty was still hungry, and the thought of slices of home-made bread and golden country butter smote her tantalizingly.
Betty Gordon at Bramble Farm|Alice B. Emerson

He produced the letter from his pocket, poising it tantalizingly between his fingers.
The Substitute Prisoner|Max Marcin
Life is joyous and near, terribly, tantalizingly near,—but all is silent and dead around me.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Tantalizingly she dangled the purse under his nose as he brought her absinthe—always this opalescent absinthe.
Visionaries|James Huneker
A band of caribou passed by, twenty and odd animals, tantalizingly within rifle range.
Love of Life|Jack London

Word Origin and History for tantalizingly

tantalizing

adj.

mid-17c., present participle adjective from tantalize. Related: Tantalizingly.

tantalizing

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Nearby words

Origin of tantalizing

Examples from the Web for tantalizingly

Word Origin and History for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} tantalizingly

tantalizing

adjective

Word Origin and History for tantalizingly