teased; teasing
1
a
: to make fun of : kid
b
: to disturb or annoy by persistent irritating or provoking especially in a petty or mischievous way
c
: to annoy with petty persistent requests : pester
also
: to obtain by repeated coaxing
d
: to persuade to acquiesce especially by persistent small efforts : coax
e
: to manipulate or influence as if by teasing
2
: to comb (hair) by taking hold of a strand and pushing the short hairs toward the scalp with the comb
3
: to tantalize especially by arousing desire or curiosity often without intending to satisfy it
4
a
: to disentangle and lay parallel by combing or carding
tease wool
b
: teasel
5
: to tear in pieces
especially
: to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination
Examples of tease in a Sentence
Verb
He and his wife enjoy teasing each other about their different tastes in music.
The other children teased her because she was wearing braces.
He was always teased by his brother about being short.
Oh, don't get so angry. I was just teasing!
The boy's mother told him to stop teasing the dog.
Noun
a pretty girl who has the reputation of being a bit of a tease
The lower rate is just a tease to attract new customers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tanasia Kenney, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
The trailer also teases a subplot involving a pregnancy between Sue Storm and Reed Richards, possibly hinting at the birth of their son, Franklin Richards, a character with universe-altering powers in Marvel lore.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
These initial showers are merely a tease of more significant weather activity expected, including the potential for stronger storms and heavier rainfall.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tease
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Verb
Fans of the finger food, made with a tortilla-crumb breading, can look forward to having it year-round, as Taco Bell teased plans to make nuggets part of the permanent menu by 2026.
—Tanasia Kenney, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
The trailer also teases a subplot involving a pregnancy between Sue Storm and Reed Richards, possibly hinting at the birth of their son, Franklin Richards, a character with universe-altering powers in Marvel lore.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
The inclusion of Daredevil and a number of false teases about Wolverine made for great moments of levity.
—Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
These initial showers are merely a tease of more significant weather activity expected, including the potential for stronger storms and heavier rainfall.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tease
Cite this Entry
“Tease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tease. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tease
1 of 2 verb
teased; teasing
1
: to untangle and lay parallel by combing or carding
tease wool
teaser
noun
tease
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the act of teasing
b
: the state of being teased
2
: one that teases
Medical Definition
tease
transitive verb
teased; teasing
: to tear in pieces
especially
: to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination
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