Tantalised: meaning, definitions and examples

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tantalised

 

[ ˈtæn.tə.laɪzd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

emotional response

To tantalize means to torment or tease someone with the promise of something unattainable or just out of their reach. It often involves creating a strong desire for something that is visible but not obtainable. The term can refer to both physical and emotional baiting, leaving the person wanting more. This feeling can be pleasurable yet frustrating, as it ignites anticipation and yearning. Tantalization can be seen in various aspects of life, such as desire for food, experiences, or personal relationships.

Synonyms

entice, tease, tempt

Examples of usage

  • The aroma of the pastries tantalized her senses.
  • He was tantalized by the idea of a vacation in a tropical paradise.
  • The book's ending tantalized readers, leaving them eager for the sequel.

Translations

Translations of the word "tantalised" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tantalizado

🇮🇳 उत्तेजित

🇩🇪 tantalisiert

🇮🇩 terangsang

🇺🇦 танталізований

🇵🇱 tantalizowany

🇯🇵 たんたらいざされた

🇫🇷 tantalisé

🇪🇸 tantalizado

🇹🇷 tantalize edilmiş

🇰🇷 탐내게하다

🇸🇦 مُعذّب

🇨🇿 tantalizovaný

🇸🇰 tantalizovaný

🇨🇳 诱惑

🇸🇮 tantaliziran

🇮🇸 tantalized

🇰🇿 тантализацияланған

🇬🇪 ტანტალიზირებული

🇦🇿 tantalizə edilmiş

🇲🇽 tantalizado

Word origin

The word 'tantalized' derives from the myth of Tantalus, a figure from Greek mythology. Tantalus was punished by the gods for his transgressions by being made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. Every time he reached for the fruit, it would recede out of his grasp, and when he bent down to drink the water, it would vanish. Thus, the word has come to symbolize an endless yearning for something that cannot be attained. The term has evolved over time, linking the mythological origins to emotions of longing and desire in modern language. It is often used in literature and everyday conversation to describe situations where one's hopes are raised with no promise of fulfillment.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,997, 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.