Word of the Day

: April 6, 2010

tantalize

verb TAN-tuh-lyze

What It Means

: to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach

tantalize in Context

The older brother mercilessly tantalized the younger one, repeatedly holding out the ball to him only to snatch it back at the last second.

Did You Know?

Pity poor King Tantalus of Phrygia. The mythic monarch offended the ancient Greek gods. As punishment, 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 reached for them, they would retreat from him. Our word "tantalize" is taken from the name of the eternally tormented king.