tantalize

Verb

harass with persistent criticism or carping
to tease (someone) by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach
to bait (someone) by showing something desirable but leaving them unsatisfied

Origin / Etymology

From Tantalus (Ancient Greek Τάνταλος (Tántalos)) in Greek mythology, who was condemned to Tartarus in the underworld. There, he had to stand for eternity in water that receded from him when he stooped to drink, beneath fruit trees whose branches were always out of reach. Derived as Tantalus + -ize.

Synonyms

bait, cod, rag, rally, razz, ride, tantalise, taunt, tease, twit

Scrabble Score: 18

tantalize: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
tantalize: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
tantalize: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

tantalize: valid Words With Friends Word