tantalize

1 of 2

verb

tan·​ta·​lize ˈtan-tə-ˌlīz 

tantalized; tantalizing

transitive verb

: to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach

intransitive verb

: to cause one to be tantalized

tantalizer noun

tantalizer

2 of 2

noun

tan·​ta·​liz·​er

variants also British tantaliser

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that tantalizes

Did you know?

Pity poor King Tantalus of Lydia. The mythic monarch offended the ancient Greek gods, and was sentenced, according to Homer's Odyssey, to suffer in Hades the following punishment: to stand neck-deep in water, beneath overhanging boughs of a tree heavily laden with ripe, juicy fruit. But though he was always hungry and thirsty, Tantalus could neither drink the water nor eat the fruit: anytime he moved to get them, they would retreat from his reach. Our word tantalize is taken from the name of the eternally tormented king.

Examples of tantalize in a Sentence

Verb

She was tantalized by the possibility of earning a lot of money quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The cooperation between Under Armour and SYZMIK is tantalizing. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Taylor, 6-4, has tantalized with his bazooka of an arm (his TD pass against Louisiana Monroe in the opener traveled 60 air yards), accuracy on his deep ball, speed and the ability to bowl over defenders in his way. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

The 20-year-old right shot has tantalizing athletic tools, boasts a big 6-foot-3 frame and is a smooth, powerful skater. — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

For some, the thought of rummaging around in a parent’s wardrobe is a less than tantalizing prospect, The same can’t be said for Sienna Miller’s eldest daughter, Marlowe Sturridge. — Olivia Allen, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Medieval Latin tantalizāre, from Latin Tantalus tantalus + Late Latin -izāre -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for tantalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

tantalize

verb

tan·​ta·​lize ˈtant-ᵊl-ˌīz 

tantalized; tantalizing

: to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach

tantalizingly

-ˌī-ziŋ-lē

adverb

Etymology

Verb

from Greek Tantalus, name of a king in mythology

Word Origin

In Greek mythology, King Tantalus offended the gods, so they punished him in a truly terrible way. He was forced to stand in a lake whose water came up to his neck. But every time Tantalus became thirsty and bent over to drink, the water level dropped so that he could never reach it. Above his head were branches loaded with delicious fruits. Yet every time Tantalus reached up to take a fruit, the branches moved up out of reach, leaving him hungry. Thus, Tantalus was always in torment, and from his name comes the English word for tormenting or teasing someone in a similar way.