titillate

[ tit-l-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, tit·il·lat·ed, tit·il·lat·ing.

1. to excite or arouse agreeably, often in a sexually suggestive way:

   She knows how to titillate the senses and enthrall the mind of her readers with her excellent storytelling.

   Synonyms: tempt, rouse

2. to tickle; excite a tingling or itching sensation in, as by touching or stroking lightly.

titillate

/ ˈtɪtɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. to arouse, tease, interest, or excite pleasurably and often superficially
2. to cause a tickling or tingling sensation in, esp by touching

Derived Forms

• ˈtitilˌlating, adjective
• ˌtitilˈlation, noun
• ˈtitilˌlatingly, adverb
• ˈtitilˌlative, adjective

Other Words From

• tit·il·la·tion noun
• tit·il·la·tive adjective
• un·tit·il·lat·ed adjective
• un·tit·il·lat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of titillate¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin tītillātus, past participle of tītillāre “to tickle”; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of titillate¹

C17: from Latin tītillāre

Example Sentences

They are written not to inform or motivate but to titillate, as if they were meant to be read furtively, at night, in the dark.

From Slate

A work of glaring artifice, “Miller’s Girl,” written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett, is being touted as a psychological thriller, but it’s too vapid and silly to do much besides titillate.

From New York Times

Even by his low standards, attempting to titillate his elderly fanbase with clearly false gossip about a woman they've never heard of was a stretch.

From Salon

In addition to promoting links that titillate, algorithms select content that confirms biases and fuels hyper-partisanship by luring people into filter bubbles in which they mostly read and watch things that support their worldview.

From Salon

This was a purely contemporary idea of loucheness, employed to shock and titillate audiences who might no longer respond to period sleaze.

From New York Times

Related Words

• amuse
• entertain
• tantalize
• tease
• tickle