[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

tantalize \tan"talize\, v. t. imp.  p. p. tantalized; p.
   pr.  vb. n. tantalizing. from tantalus: cf. f.
   tantaliser.
   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.
   1913 webster

         thy vain desires, at strife
         within themselves, have tantalized thy life. --dryden.
   1913 webster

   syn: to tease; vex; irritate; provoke.

   usage: 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.
          1913 webster
see also:
tantalized tantalizing tantalus tantalize disappoint 

Tantalized >> T Words
Tantalized, definition of term: Tantalized
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