tantalise Definition
- 1to make someone feel excited or attracted by an offer or a suggestion of something that is, in fact, unlikely to happen or be available
- 2to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach
Using tantalise: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tantalise" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The smell of freshly baked cookies tantalized me as I walked past the bakery.
Example
The company tantalized customers with the promise of a new product, but it never materialized.
Example
He tantalized his audience with hints about his upcoming book.
Example
The forbidden fruit tantalized Adam and Eve.
tantalise Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using tantalise
to stimulate or excite one's sense of taste, often with the promise of something delicious
Example
The aroma of the freshly baked bread tantalized our taste buds.
tantalize someone's imagination
to stimulate or excite someone's creativity or curiosity with the promise of something intriguing or mysterious
Example
The movie trailer tantalized our imagination with its cryptic clues and suspenseful music.
tantalize someone's senses
to stimulate or excite someone's senses, often with the promise of something pleasurable or luxurious
Example
The spa package tantalized her senses with its aromatherapy oils and soothing music.
Phrases with tantalise
to tease or torment someone with the promise of something desirable that is out of reach
Example
She tantalized him with the prospect of a promotion, but it never came.
very near or almost within reach, but still unattainable
Example
The championship title was tantalizingly close, but they lost in the final round.
an exciting possibility that is not yet certain or achievable
Example
The job offer from the prestigious company was a tantalizing prospect, but she had to weigh the pros and cons before accepting.
Origins of tantalise
from Tantalus, a character in Greek mythology who was punished by the gods by being made to stand in water that receded when he tried to drink and under fruit that withdrew when he reached for it
Summary: tantalise in Brief
'Tantalise' [ˈtæntəlaɪz] means to excite or attract someone with an offer or suggestion of something that is unlikely to happen or be available. It can also mean to tease or torment by presenting something desirable but out of reach. Examples include the smell of freshly baked cookies tantalizing someone, or a company tantalizing customers with the promise of a new product that never materializes. Phrases like 'tantalizing prospect' and idioms like 'tantalize someone's imagination' extend the meaning of the word.
