adj
tantalizing
Tantalizing (adj) means So tempting or desirable that it is hard to resist, especially something just out of reach. Example: “The smell of fresh bread from the bakery was tantalizing.”
adj
1
So tempting or desirable that it is hard to resist, especially something just out of reach.
"The smell of fresh bread from the bakery was tantalizing."
"She gave a tantalizing hint about the surprise without revealing it."
"It was a tantalizing promise, delivered with Donald Trump’s trademark panache: As dealmaker in chief, he would quickly end world conflicts that had defied his predecessors and their nattily dressed legions of career diplomats."
— Ned Temko, Trump’s ‘quick fix’ approach to diplomacy slow to yield results (2025)
How to use tantalizing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTeasingly tempting — making you want something you can't quite have yet.
Common pairings
tantalizing glimpse
tantalizing prospect
tantalizing aroma
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Word forms
- Plural
- tantalizings
- Comparative
- more tantalizing
- Superlative
- most tantalizing
Fill the gap
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The smell of fresh bread from the bakery was _____.
Synonyms
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tempting
tantalising
Related words
Rhymes for tantalizing
sizing
seizing
agonizing
appetizing
organizing
downsizing
memorizing
vocalizing
socializing
apologizing
mesmerizing
patronizing
See all rhymes for tantalizing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “tantalizing” mean?
The word “tantalizing” means so tempting or desirable that it is hard to resist, especially something just out of reach. In plain terms, teasingly tempting — making you want something you can't quite have yet.
How do you use “tantalizing” in a sentence?
Here is “tantalizing” used in a sentence: “The smell of fresh bread from the bakery was tantalizing.”
What part of speech is “tantalizing”?
“Tantalizing” is an adjective.
What is the meaning of tantalizing?
"tantalizing" (adj) means so tempting or desirable that it is hard to resist, especially something just out of reach.
