Tantalise: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
tantalise
[ หtรฆn.tษ.laษชz ]
enticing situation
To tantalise means to torment or tease someone with the sight or promise of something unobtainable. It can refer to both physical and emotional enticements. The term suggests a sense of desire being heightened by its inaccessibility. It's often used in contexts where someone is made to wait for something they want but cannot have.
Synonyms
entice, lure, tease, tempt, torment.
Examples of usage
- She tantalised him with hints of her feelings.
- The aroma of the food tantalised the guests.
- They were tantalised by the prospect of winning.
- Advertisers often tantalise consumers with sneak peeks of new products.
Translations
Translations of the word "tantalise" in other languages:
๐ต๐น tantalizar
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฒเคฒเคเคพเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช tantalieren
๐ฎ๐ฉ menyengat
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐะฝัะฐะปัะทัะฒะฐัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ tantalizowaฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ใฟใณใฟใฉใคใบ
๐ซ๐ท tantaliser
๐ช๐ธ tantalizar
๐น๐ท tantalize etmek
๐ฐ๐ท ํ ํ๋ผ์ด์ฆํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชูุชุงููุณ
๐จ๐ฟ tantalizovat
๐ธ๐ฐ tantalizovaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๆ้
๐ธ๐ฎ tantalizirati
๐ฎ๐ธ tantalize
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐะฝัะฐะปะธะทะฐัะธั
๐ฌ๐ช แขแแแขแแแแแแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ tantalize etmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ tantalizar
Etymology
The word 'tantalise' originates from the Greek myth of Tantalus, a figure who was punished by the gods for his misdeeds. In the Underworld, he was made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. Whenever he reached for the fruit, it would recede out of reach, and when he bent down to drink, the water would similarly vanish. Thus, the term 'tantalise' has come to represent the act of offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach, reflecting the eternal frustration of Tantalus. The English word has evolved to describe situations where one is tempted or teased but ultimately left wanting.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,602, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.
- ...
- 41599 weightlessly
- 41600 groundling
- 41601 grabby
- 41602 tantalise
- 41603 mewled
- 41604 dilettantish
- 41605 reprehensibly
- ...