as in tempting
having a strong power to provoke or hold interest
The menu included a selection of tantalizing desserts.
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as in intriguing
to cause (someone) to feel interest or excitement about something that is very attractive, appealing, etc.
She was tantalized by the possibility of earning a lot of money quickly.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tantalizing
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
Now the drug is back in the spotlight, driven, in large part, by the lobbying of former Texas governor Rick Perry and veterans’ groups, some of whom see it as a tantalizing treatment for PTSD.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Delp is tantalizing as an all-around player but never had more than 24 catches in a collegiate season.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tantalizing
Adjective
Much like James Marsden’s entrance as the obnoxiously wealthy and charismatic Owen Ashe, this sophomore season has come in hot and much more tantalizing, dramatic, emotional, and funnier than before.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
Now the drug is back in the spotlight, driven, in large part, by the lobbying of former Texas governor Rick Perry and veterans’ groups, some of whom see it as a tantalizing treatment for PTSD.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Costco shopping experience is immersive by design – from the big-screen bling at the warehouse door to aisle after aisle of tantalizing deals to bag.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Delp is tantalizing as an all-around player but never had more than 24 catches in a collegiate season.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tantalizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tantalizing
Adjective
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But as Fedarko proceeds, his deep familiarity with, and love for, the region comes through strongly, and his vivid writing makes even the most miserable points of the journey sound at least a little bit tempting.—
Eva Holland,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2026
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Mougey would like to do everything possible to avoid dipping into their 2027 draft capital, but the prospect of adding someone like Sorsby without using a first-round pick is tempting.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
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There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cinema-goers opted to watch those thrilling sequences on the biggest and brightest screens.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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Families can embark on thrilling excursions like whale watching tours or exploring the ice caves of Mendenhall Glacier while in port.—
Jessica Puckett,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Major Wilson, 17, has been around horses most of his life and now spends much of his time helping younger riders get ready, showing them how to saddle their horses without exciting them.—
Jhair Romero,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Feb. 2026
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For Harrington and her husband Dante, the thought of triplets was shocking but exciting all the same.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tantalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tantalizing. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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