tantalizing

[ tan-tl-ahy-zing ]

/ ˈtæn tlˌaɪ zɪŋ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for tantalizing on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of tantalizing

First recorded in 1650–60; tantalize + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM tantalizing

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tantalizing

tantalizing , titillating

How to use tantalizing in a sentence

We witness, in sections both tantalizing and tragic, Owusu’s struggles with mental illness.
For a multiracial writer, a life marked by earthquakes and other upheavals|Gabrielle Bellot|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
That potential is what continues to make the Nets such a tantalizing team, though, especially now that Harden is in the mix.
The Nets Go All-In With James Harden, But The Move Has Risks|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|January 14, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
There’s something tantalizing about the words “caramelized onions.”
6 golden recipes featuring caramelized onions|Kari Sonde|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
As the beer industry tries to prepare for the future, it’s turning to hops as urgently as ever—new, intriguing, tantalizing varieties that surprise you with their flavors and aromas and will keep you excited to reach into the beer case.
How Hops Became the Star of American Brewing|Christopher Solomon|October 7, 2020|Outside Online

“It’s really intriguing and tantalizing information,” Gandhi says.
Antibodies made in the lab show some promise for treating COVID-19|Erin Garcia de Jesus|September 22, 2020|Science News
Passage of a bipartisan Senate bill last year made reform seem tantalizingly close.
The White House’s Woman in the Immigration Crosshairs|Eleanor Clift|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
That alluring scent was all about him, and most tantalizingly fresh.
The Watchers of the Trails|Charles G. D. Roberts
The apples shone tantalizingly red, and then Dame Grumble realized at last that they would never change to golden, as she hoped.
The Green Forest Fairy Book|Loretta Ellen Brady
Escape seemed tantalizingly near, but with sinking heart, Shelby noted that there was no easy means of ascent to the roof.
The Revolt of the Star Men|Raymond Gallun
He even hung by one hand, tantalizingly just beyond reach, and mocked them as they gnashed their tusks with impotent rage.
Before Adam|Jack London
He glared gloomily at the back of her white neck, across which a dark lock floated tantalizingly.
The Honorable Percival|Alice Hegan Rice