Category:Tantalize

Tan"ta*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tantalized; p. pr. & vb. n. Tantalizing.] Etym: [from tantalus: cf. F. tantaliser.]

Defn: 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. Thy vain desires, at strife within themselves, have tantalized thy Life. Dryden.

Syn. -- to tease; vex; irritate; provoke. -- 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.