WORD OF THE DAY: TANTALISE
verb | TAN-tuh-lyze
What It Means
To tantalise someone is to cause them to feel interest or excitement about something that is very attractive, appealing, etc.
// She was tantalised by the prospect of a big promotion
Examples of TANTALISE
“Craving a culinary adventure? Look no further than Manila Street Treats, nestled within the vibrant Tapatio Produce International Market and Shops building in Elkton. This hidden gem offers a diverse menu of Filipino and international flavours that will tantalise your taste buds.” — Chester County Press (Oxford, Pennsylvania), 1 Apr. 2025.
Did You Know?
Pity poor King Tantalus of Lydia. The mythic monarch offended the ancient Greek gods, and was sentenced, according to Homer’s Odyssey, to suffer in Hades the following punishment: to stand neck-deep in water, beneath overhanging boughs of a tree heavily laden with ripe, juicy fruit. But though he was always hungry and thirsty, Tantalus could neither drink the water nor eat the fruit: anytime he moved to get them, they would retreat from his reach. Our word tantalise is taken from the name of the eternally tormented king.
Merriam Webster Dictionary
