Search Result for "tantalizing": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable or mockingly out of reach;
- Example: "a tantalizing taste of success"
[syn: tantalizing, tantalising]

2. very pleasantly inviting;
- Example: "a tantalizing aroma"
- Example: "a tempting repast"
[syn: tantalizing, tantalising, tempting]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tantalize \Tan"ta*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tantalized; p. pr. & vb. n. Tantalizing.] [From Tantalus: cf. F. tantaliser.] To tease or torment by presenting some good to the view and exciting desire, but continually frustrating the expectations by keeping that good out of reach; to tease; to torment. [1913 Webster] Thy vain desires, at strife Within themselves, have tantalized thy life. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] Syn: To tease; vex; irritate; provoke. Usage: Tantalize, Disappoint. To disappoint is literally to do away with what was (or was taken to be) appointed; hence the peculiar pain from hopes thus dashed to the ground. To tantalize, a much stronger term, describes a most distressing form of disappointment, as in the case of Tantalus, the Phrygian king. To tantalize is to visit with the bitterest disappointment -- to torment by exciting hopes or expectations which can never be realized. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tantalizing adj 1: arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable or mockingly out of reach; "a tantalizing taste of success" [syn: tantalizing, tantalising] 2: very pleasantly inviting; "a tantalizing aroma"; "a tempting repast" [syn: tantalizing, tantalising, tempting]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

130 Moby Thesaurus words for "tantalizing": acceptable, adorable, agitating, agreeable, alluring, appealing, appetizing, attractive, beguiling, bewitching, blandishing, breathtaking, cajoling, captivating, catching, charged, charismatic, charming, cliff-hanging, coaxing, come-hither, coquettish, delightful, desirable, disappointing, disquieting, distracting, disturbing, electric, enchanting, engaging, enravishing, enthralling, enticing, entrancing, enviable, exciting, exhilarating, exotic, exquisite, falling short, fascinating, fetching, flirtatious, galvanic, glamorous, heady, heart-expanding, heart-robbing, heart-stirring, heart-swelling, heart-thrilling, hypnotic, impressive, inflammatory, interesting, intoxicating, intriguing, inviting, irresistible, jarring, jolting, juicy, likable, lively, lovable, lovely, luxurious, maddening, mesmeric, mind-blowing, mouth-watering, moving, overcoming, overmastering, overpowering, overwhelming, perturbing, piquant, pleasing, prepossessing, provocative, provoking, provoquant, racy, ravishing, readable, rich, second best, seducing, seductive, sensuous, siren, sirenic, soul-stirring, spellbinding, spellful, spicy, spirit-stirring, stimulating, stimulative, stirring, striking, succulent, suspenseful, suspensive, taking, teasing, telling, tempting, thought-challenging, thought-inspiring, thought-provoking, thrilling, thrilly, tickling, titillating, titillative, to be desired, toothsome, troubling, unobjectionable, unsatisfactory, unsettling, upsetting, voluptuous, winning, winsome, witching, worth having