tantalizing

[ tan-tl-ahy-zing ]

adjective

1. 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.

Other Words From

• tanta·lizing·ly adverb
• un·tanta·lizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tantalizing¹

First recorded in 1650–60; tantalize + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Madame Cézanne is ultimately about the figure in the portraits rather than the person, who remains a tantalizing enigma.

From The Daily Beast

She remembers, of course, being tantalized by the tantalizing opening breakdown scene.

From The Daily Beast

In support of his assessment, he offers a number of tantalizing theories, only partially undergirded by fully explored evidence.

From The Daily Beast

Because, for me, the idea of the regal Diane in the ratty warehouse digs is positively tantalizing.

From The Daily Beast

It requires something on the scale of an earthquake, which is why impeachment talk is so tantalizing.

From The Daily Beast

But to starving men, with not a mouthful in our grasp, this display of food was tantalizing.

From Project Gutenberg

The tantalizing smile came back to the face of the red man, who shook his head.

From Project Gutenberg

I began to feel that it was better to be here with you blind, than alone in town with that tantalizing half-sight of everything.

From Project Gutenberg

There was the tantalizing feeling that I was on the verge of knowing at least something.

From Project Gutenberg

The recollection was as tantalizing as an itch; but he couldn't locate its source.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alluring