tantalizingly
4
7.4
- adverb
- /ˈtæn.tə.laɪ.zɪŋ.li/
- US
:
tentadoramente
- "... we see that we are tantalizingly close to several elevated sites.
- tantalizingly close
Examples
-
The calf poked its nose out of the water, tantalizingly near.
Fiction book (2002) -
Despite all of this, Luis Elizondo believes we're getting tantalizingly close to explaining things.
-
The answer to the problem seemed tantalizingly obvious, hovering just outside his reach.
Fiction book (1993) -
In the next four years, there were two close calls, but in 1955 and 1959, the Indians fell tantalizingly short of the Series.
Academic text (2009) -
This mysterious region holds clues to the formation of our solar system, and it was long, tantalizingly beyond our reach.
-
The possible windfalls are tantalizingly large at a time when nearly everyone's economy has taken a beating.
Academic text (2010) -
The men fell silent, studying the ships which, hardly more than a quarter-mile distant, seemed tantalizingly accessible.
Fiction book (1993) -
Celie peeled off the foil, and the smell of cumin drifted tantalizingly into Manny's nostrils.
Fiction book (1990) -
After years of research, scientists are tantalizingly close to commercial production of a wide variety of materials.
-
Together they gazed out at the army that lay tantalizingly out of reach.
Synonyms
130
1.0
In a way that makes people want to know more
8
6.7
In a way that tries to attract someone romantically
3
2.5
In a way that looks nice and makes people notice it
3
4.1
In a way that makes you curious or interested
3
7.4
In a way that hints at sexual interest without saying it
2
3.8
In a way that looks pleasant and attracts people
1
4.1
Makes people want to come closer
1
4.2
In a way that makes people feel very interested
1
4.4
In a way that makes someone want something
1
2.8
In a way that makes people feel excited
1
3.9
In a way that makes people feel very excited
1
4.7
In a way that makes someone want it
1
6.2
In a way that looks sexually attractive to others
1
6.7
In a way that shows strong desire for sex
1
5.9
In a way that is attractive and makes people pay attention
1
5.8
In a charming way that delights people and holds their attention
1
7.5
In a very beautiful and attractive way that pleases people
1
6.2
In an attractive, charming way that draws positive attention
1
7.8
In a charming way that may trick someone
In a way that attracts and holds people's attention
In a way that holds the attention very strongly
In a very charming, almost magical way that attracts people
In a way that makes people more interested or excited
In a way that causes a strong, pleasant thrill
In a very hot, intense, or exciting way
In a way that is pleasantly spicy or slightly exciting
In a way that slightly excites interest or curiosity
In a way that shows sexual interest or attraction
How Tempting
Surface Forms
Morphology
tantalizingly = tantalizing (transparent) = tantalize + ing + ly
The transformation from 'tantalizing' to 'tantalizingly' is straightforward, forming an adverb from an adjective.
Etymology
Tantalizingly comes from the old Greek story of Tantalus, a king who was punished by standing under fruit and water that moved away whenever he tried to take them, a strong image of something very close but he could not reach. So, tantalizingly, from tantalize, means 'in a way that teases' or 'tempts' and describes something attractive but hard to get.