tantalize
verb
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Pity poor King Tantalus of Lydia. The mythic monarch offended the ancient Greek gods. As punishment, according to Homer's Odyssey, he was plunged up to his chin in water in Hades, where he had to stand 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 tantalize is taken from the name of the eternally tormented king.
Examples of tantalize in a Sentence
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
Intense minerality with tantalizing notes of brioche and rich peach pie flavors on the palate with fresh acidity and a creamy texture formed by tiny, fine bubbles.
—Cathrine Todd, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The promise of a rescue in the wilderness and a present-day battle to the death between the remaining survivors is tantalizing.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
The finding came with a tantalizing prospect for safety research.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tantalize
Cite this Entry
“Tantalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tantalize. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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tantalize
verb
from Greek Tantalus, name of a king in mythology
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