tantalizing
Alluring yet unreachable
Tantalizing describes something desirable that remains just out of reach, arousing appetite or curiosity without satisfying it.
A tantalizing aroma drifts from a kitchen you can't enter.
A tantalizing glimpse reveals enough to make you want more.
The word comes from Tantalus, a figure in Greek myth condemned to stand in water beneath fruit trees—both receding whenever he reached for them.
Powerfully attractive
- temptingArousing desire or interest
- alluringPowerfully appealing
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
irresistible · beguiling · inviting · appealing · fascinating · intriguing · mesmerizing · enchanting
Extremely appealing to eat
- appetizingStimulating desire for food
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
- scrumptiousExtremely pleasing to taste
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
succulent · luscious · toothsome · ambrosial · delicious · flavorful · aromatic · piquant
Hot, humid, or alluring
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- flirtatiousPlayfully romantic in manner
coy · titillating · steamy · smoldering · come-hither · risqué · teasing · voluptuous
Playful, mild ridicule
- elusiveHard to find
- unreachableCannot be accessed
- unattainableImpossible to acquire
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
torturous · maddening · vexing · out-of-reach · fleeting · dangling · withholding · promised
enticing
Powerfully attractive
- temptingArousing desire or interest
- alluringPowerfully appealing
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
captivating · irresistible · beguiling · inviting · appealing · fascinating · intriguing · mesmerizing · enchanting · bewitching
mouthwatering
Extremely appealing to eat
- appetizingStimulating desire for food
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
- scrumptiousExtremely pleasing to taste
savory · succulent · luscious · toothsome · ambrosial · delicious · flavorful · aromatic · piquant · palatable
sultry
Hot, humid, or alluring
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
flirtatious · coy · titillating · steamy · smoldering · come-hither · risqué · teasing · voluptuous · ravishing
teasing
Playful, mild ridicule
- elusiveHard to find
- unreachableCannot be accessed
- unattainableImpossible to acquire
taunting · torturous · maddening · vexing · out-of-reach · fleeting · dangling · withholding · promised · tormenting
exquisite
Flawlessly crafted, delicate
indulgent · decadent · luxurious · exclusive · rare · premium · refined · elegant · sophisticated · splendid
- enticementsenticement, inducement, lure, allure, temptation
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- food adjectivesdelicious, tasty, yummy, scrumptious, savory
- seductionseduction, seductive, allure, beguilement, enticement
- sensualityarousal, carnal, eroticism, erotic, intimacy
- captivatingcaptivating, fascinating, compelling, mesmerizing, hypnotic
tantalizingrepulsive
Causing strong disgust
repellent · off-putting · disgusting · revolting · unappealing
tantalizingsatisfying
Producing fulfillment or pleasure
fulfilling · gratifying · satiating · delivering · rewarding