teasing
Lighthearted poking fun
Teasing is playful provocation—mocking, poking fun, or making light of someone, usually without malicious intent: She was teasing him about his haircut.
The line between affectionate teasing and hurtful ridicule depends on relationship and tone.
Teasing also means to tantalize or withhold something desired: Stop teasing and tell me the answer.
Hair that's teased has been backcombed for volume.
Affectionate verbal teasing
- jokingSaying things in fun
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- jestHumorous remark or act
- wisecrackFlippant clever remark
quip · gag · kidding · joshing · ragging · roasting · needling · goading
Playful romantic attention
- coquetteTeasing, insincere charmer
- coynessAffected reluctance or shyness
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
- enticementSomething that attracts
seduction · charm · wink · banter · dallying · amorous · courtship · siren
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- tauntInsulting provocation
- jeerVocal expression of scorn
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- scoffMock with disdain
sneer · jibe · gibe · heckle · insult · belittle · denigrate · disparage
Persistent unwanted attention
- botheringCausing irritation repeatedly
- harassingPersistently tormenting another
- badgeringPersistent harassment or nagging
- naggingPersistent bothering or complaining
provoking · aggravating · irritating · vexing · irking · hassling · antagonizing · goading
ribbing
Affectionate verbal teasing
wisecrack · quip · gag · kidding · joshing · ragging · roasting · needling · goading · pranking
flirtation
Playful romantic attention
- coquetteTeasing, insincere charmer
- coynessAffected reluctance or shyness
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
enticement · seduction · charm · wink · banter · dallying · amorous · courtship · siren · crush
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
scoff · sneer · jibe · gibe · heckle · insult · belittle · denigrate · disparage · contempt
pestering
Persistent unwanted attention
- botheringCausing irritation repeatedly
- harassingPersistently tormenting another
- badgeringPersistent harassment or nagging
nagging · provoking · aggravating · irritating · vexing · irking · hassling · antagonizing · goading · needling
backcombing
Styling hair against growth
ratting · fluffing · volumizing · roots · comb · styling · tousling · body · poof · bouffant
- conversationlistening, talk, talking, chat, speaking
- humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
- social interactiongreeting, hello, goodbye, hi, bye
- interactionstalking, sharing, greeting, helping, listening
- playfulnessplay, frolic, romp, fun, mirth
- ways to communicatechat, announcement, gossip, broadcast, small talk
teasingcomforting
Giving emotional ease
consoling · reassuring · soothing · encouraging · praising
teasingpraising
Voicing admiration
complimenting · flattering · lauding · admiring · affirming
- teasing outGradually extracting something hidden
- teasing combTool for adding volume