To excite (another) by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach.
[From Latin Tantalus, Tantalus. See Tantalus.]
tantalization tan'ta·li·za'tion (-lĭ-zā'shən) n.tantalizer tan'ta·liz'er n.
tantalizingly tan'ta·liz'ing·ly adv.
Dictionary:
tan·ta·lize (tăn'tə-līz') ![]() |
[From Latin Tantalus, Tantalus. See Tantalus.]
tantalization tan'ta·li·za'tion (-lĭ-zā'shən) n.| Wordsmith Words: tantalize |
(TAN-tuh-lyz)
verb tr., also tantalise
To tease or torment by showing something desirable but keeping it out of reach.
Etymology
After Tantalus in Greek mythology. Tantalus, a king of Lydia, was condemned to stand in Hades chin deep in water and under fruits that receded whenever he tried to drink water or eat the fruit.
| Thesaurus: tantalize |
verb
| Antonyms: tantalize |
Definition: provoke, tease
Antonyms: disenchant, repulse, turn off
| Word Tutor: tantalize |
Movie previews are made to tantalize moviegoers.
| Translations: Tantalize |
Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - spænde på pinebænken, ærgre, pine
Nederlands (Dutch)
doen watertanden
Français (French)
v. tr. - allécher
Deutsch (German)
v. - reizen, zappeln lassen, falsche Hoffnungen wecken
Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - βασανίζω, ταλανίζω
Italiano (Italian)
tormentare, stuzzicare, illudere
Português (Portuguese)
v. - tantalizar, atormentar
Русский (Russian)
терзать ложными обещаниями
Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - atormentar, martirizar, seducir
Svenska (Swedish)
v. - locka, fresta, reta
中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
逗弄, 使干着急
中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 逗弄, 使乾著急
한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - ~을 애타게 하여 괴롭히다, ~을 보여주어 감질나게 하다
日本語 (Japanese)
v. - じらす, 気を持たせる
עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - עורר תקוות-שווא, גרם לייסורי טנטלוס, התעלל
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