tantaliser

Senses

1. 1.

   to tantalize; to tease

   to tempt or provoke desire while withholding satisfaction

2. 2.

   to torment; to frustrate

   to cause annoyance or disappointment by delaying or denying something desired

Examples

• "Cette odeur délicieuse me tantalisait, mais je ne trouvais pas la source."

  That delicious smell tantalized me, but I couldn't find its source.

• "Il tantalise ses admirateurs en gardant le secret sur son prochain projet."

  He teases his admirers by keeping his next project secret.

• "Les promesses non tenues tantalisant les clients frustrés."

  Unkept promises tantalize frustrated customers.

Usage

A relatively formal or literary verb in French. Often used to describe deliberately provocative or frustrating situations involving desire, curiosity, or anticipation. Can carry a slight negative connotation of intentional teasing or mockery.