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Tantalized: meaning, definitions and examples

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tantalized

 

[ ˈtæn.t̬ə.laɪzd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

tempting situation

To tantalize means to tease or torment someone with the promise of something unobtainable. It often involves creating a sense of desire or longing for something that is just out of reach. This word conveys the idea of presenting something enticing, only to deny access to it. The term is often used in contexts involving food, relationships, or goals that seem desirable but remain elusive.

Synonyms

entice, tease, tempt

Examples of usage

  • She tantalized him with visions of a future together.
  • The aroma of the pastries tantalized everyone in the bakery.
  • He was tantalized by the thought of winning the lottery.
  • The movie trailer tantalized audiences with glimpses of thrilling scenes.

Translations

Translations of the word "tantalized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tantalizado

🇮🇳 ललचाया हुआ

🇩🇪 geplagt

🇮🇩 tergoda

🇺🇦 зваблений

🇵🇱 tantalizowany

🇯🇵 たじろがせる

🇫🇷 tantalisé

🇪🇸 tantalizado

🇹🇷 tantalize edilmiş

🇰🇷 끌리는

🇸🇦 مُغري

🇨🇿 tantalizovaný

🇸🇰 tantalizovaný

🇨🇳 诱惑的

🇸🇮 tantaliziran

🇮🇸 tantalizeraður

🇰🇿 тартылған

🇬🇪 ტანტალიზებული

🇦🇿 tantalizə olunmuş

🇲🇽 tantalizado

Etymology

The word 'tantalized' comes from the Greek mythology, named after Tantalus, a king punished by the gods for his misdeeds. In the myth, Tantalus was made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree; whenever he reached for the fruit, it would recede out of his grasp, and whenever he bent down to drink, the water would disappear. This eternal punishment illustrated the pain of longing for what one cannot have, which gave rise to the term. The word entered the English language in the early 17th century, evolving from its mythological roots into a broader metaphor for unfulfilled desire. Since then, it has been used in various contexts from literature to everyday conversation, encapsulating the essence of temptation and the frustration of unattainable goals.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,758, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.