( BrE also tan·tal·ise ) / ˈtæntəlaɪz; NAmE / verb
[ vn ] to make a person or an animal want sth that they cannot have or do
► tan·tal·iz·ing , tan·tal·is·ing adjective :
The tantalizing aroma of fresh coffee wafted towards them.
a tantalizing glimpse of the future
► tan·tal·iz·ing·ly , tan·tal·is·ing adverb :
The branch was tantalizingly out of reach.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from Tantalus (a Lydian king in Greek mythology who was punished by being provided with fruit and water which receded when he reached for them) + -ize .