teasing

[ˈtiːzɪŋ]

teasing Definition

  • 1making fun of or attempting to provoke (a person or animal) in a playful way
  • 2unraveling or loosening something by pulling it gently

Using teasing: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "teasing" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    He was always teasing his little sister.

  • Example

    She teased the knot loose with her fingers.

  • Example

    The cat was teasing the mouse, batting it around but not killing it.

  • Example

    Stop teasing the dog with that toy.

teasing Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for teasing

Phrases with teasing

  • tease out

    to extract or obtain something from a complex or obscure source

    Example

    I had to tease out the meaning of the poem from its dense language.

  • tease apart

    to separate or distinguish two things that are closely intertwined or difficult to differentiate

    Example

    It took me a while to tease apart the different plotlines in the novel.

  • to persuade or encourage someone to do something by teasing or coaxing them

    Example

    I finally teased him into trying the spicy food.

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Summary: teasing in Brief

Teasing [ˈtiːzɪŋ] refers to making fun of or provoking someone or something in a playful way. It can also mean to gently unravel or loosen something. Examples include 'He was always teasing his little sister' and 'She teased the knot loose with her fingers.' Phrases like 'tease out' and 'tease apart' denote extracting or separating complex information.

How do native speakers use this expression?