tantalizing

American  

[tan-tl-ahy-zing] / ˈtæn tlˌaɪ zɪŋ /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• tantalizingly adverb
• untantalizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of tantalizing

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

Example Sentences

For her, there’s still something tantalizing about topping a mixed-genre bill before an audience that may not have heard her music at all.

From Los Angeles Times

The controversy over that runoff election has been a subject of tantalizing conjecture for nearly three decades, ever since U.S.

From Seattle Times

There remains tantalizing potential in Jarred Kelenic, who after his torrid spring in the Cactus League started in left field and batted seventh Thursday.

From Seattle Times

That Richardson can say he wanted to put a hole in the roof and someone might actually think he could speaks to his tantalizing tangibles.

From Seattle Times

We saw how dominant he can be in Toronto during the wild-card series, and it’s tantalizing to think about what that could look like over 32 starts in a full season on a playoff contender.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• alluring