tantalizing — having a quality that provokes or attracts; tempting but often unattainable
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: having a quality that provokes or attracts; tempting but often unattainable
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈtæntəlaɪzɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- The tantalizing smell of pizza made everyone's mouth water, but the delivery was still an hour away.
- She gave him a tantalizing hint about the surprise party but refused to reveal any details.
- The tantalizing job offer came with great pay but required moving to Antarctica.
tantalizing
ADJECTIVE[/ˈtæntəlaɪzɪŋ/]
having a quality that provokes or attracts; tempting but often unattainable
The juicy steak dangling just out of reach was tantalizing the desperate dog.
The fruit hanging just beyond the starving man's reach was tantalizing him like the punishment of Tantalus.
The glowing golden prize dangling above the defeated runner was tantalizing.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the name Tantalus in Greek mythology, a king punished by being placed in water that receded when he tried to drink and under fruit he could not reach. The verb 'tantalize' was formed from this mythological reference in the 17th century, meaning to torment by showing something desirable but keeping it out of reach.
Breakdown
Tantalus (Greek mythological figure) + -ize (verb suffix) + -ing (present participle) = tantalizing (present participle form meaning 'tempting or teasing by offering something desirable but unattainable')
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The tantalizing smell of pizza made everyone's mouth water, but the delivery was still an hour away.”
“She gave him a tantalizing hint about the surprise party but refused to reveal any details.”
“The tantalizing job offer came with great pay but required moving to Antarctica.”
📚Related Words
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