tantalizingly
gb/tˈæntəlˌaɪzɪŋli/ us/tˈæntəlˌaɪzɪŋli/
C1
English
csábítóan, sejtelmesen, hajszálnyira, karnyújtásnyira
C1
1
csábítóan
B2
sejtelmesen
B2
Usage pattern:
tantalizingly + [adjective/adverb] | [something] smells/looks/sounds tantalizingly + [adjective]
The smell of grilled garlic drifted tantalizingly through the open window.
A sült fokhagyma illata csábítóan szűrődött be a nyitott ablakon.
She spoke tantalizingly about a new project, revealing just enough to spark curiosity.
Sejtelmesen beszélt egy új projektről, épp annyit árulva el, hogy felkeltse a kíváncsiságot.
The menu described the dessert so tantalizingly that we ordered it immediately.
Learner examples
The cake smelled tantalizingly sweet.
A tortának csábítóan édes illata volt.
He gave a tantalizingly short hint about the surprise.
Csak egy rövid, sejtelmes utalást tett a meglepetésre.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with "tenderly" or "tangibly"; it is about tempting or teasing, not gentleness or something you can touch.
Meaning
in a teasing, tempting way
Collocations
tantalizingly close
|tantalizingly near
|tantalizingly vague
|tantalizingly brief
|tantalizingly incomplete
|tantalizingly delicious
|tantalizingly aromatic
|tantalizingly suggestive
|tantalizingly slow
|tantalizingly withheld
Synonyms
temptingly (More general; often used for food or offers.)
|
teasingly (Emphasizes playful withholding or provocation.)
|
alluringly (Suggests charm and attraction, often romantic or glamorous.)
|
enticingly (Highlights drawing someone in or encouraging them to try something.)
Antonyms
unappealingly (Suggests something is not attractive or desirable.)
|
off-puttingly (Emphasizes that it discourages interest.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|food_and_drink
|desire
Definition
In a way that makes you really want something, but you cannot have it yet.
In a way that strongly attracts or excites interest or desire, often by offering only a small taste or hint of something.
C1
2
hajszálnyira
B2
Usage pattern:
tantalizingly close/near (to) [something] | tantalizingly within reach | tantalizingly short of [something]
The team came tantalizingly close to winning the championship.
A csapat hajszálnyira volt attól, hogy megnyerje a bajnokságot.
The answer seemed tantalizingly within reach, but we couldn’t quite prove it.
A megoldás szinte már karnyújtásnyira volt, de nem tudtuk teljesen bebizonyítani.
She finished tantalizingly short of the qualifying time.
Learner examples
We were tantalizingly close to winning.
Hajszálnyira voltunk a győzelemtől.
The prize felt tantalizingly near.
A díj szinte karnyújtásnyira volt.
Common mistake:
Typically used with words like "close," "near," or "within reach"; it can sound odd with situations that are not about nearness or near success.
Meaning
very nearly, but not quite
Collocations
tantalizingly close
|tantalizingly near
|tantalizingly within reach
|tantalizingly short of
|tantalizingly close to victory
|tantalizingly close to a deal
|tantalizingly close to the answer
|tantalizingly close to completion
|tantalizingly close to a record
|tantalizingly near the finish line
Synonyms
almost (Neutral and common; lacks the emotional sense of frustration/excitement.)
|
nearly (Similar to "almost"; slightly more formal in some contexts.)
|
agonizingly (Stronger; emphasizes pain or intense frustration.)
|
frustratingly (Directly highlights annoyance at not reaching the goal.)
Antonyms
nowhere near (Emphasizes being far from achieving or reaching something.)
|
distantly (Indicates being far away from a target or outcome.)
Themes
emotions
|success
|competition
Definition
Almost happening or almost reached, but not yet.
So close to being achieved, reached, or known that it feels frustrating or exciting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tantalizingly
IPA
GB/tˈæntəlˌaɪzɪŋli/
US/tˈæntəlˌaɪzɪŋli/
Syllables & stress
tan - tal - iz - ingly (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tan)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tantalizingly
- Plural: tantalizinglies
Expressions
tantalizingly close (to [something])
1/tˈæntəlˌaɪzɪŋli klˈoʊs tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
almost succeeding or reaching something
Almost done or almost successful, but not yet.
Examples
- Negotiators said they were tantalizingly close to an agreement.
- The runners were tantalizingly close to the finish line when the rain started.
Learner examples
- We are tantalizingly close to a deal.
- She was tantalizingly close to winning.
tantalizingly out of reach
1/tˈæntəlˌaɪzɪŋli ˈaʊt əv ɹˈit͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
desired but not attainable yet
You really want it, but you still cannot get it.
Examples
- For years, home ownership felt tantalizingly out of reach for many young families.
- The last cookie sat tantalizingly out of reach on the top shelf.
Learner examples
- The goal is tantalizingly out of reach.
- The toy was tantalizingly out of reach.
tantalizingly vague
1/tˈæntəlˌaɪzɪŋli vˈeɪɡ/
fixed phrase
intriguingly unclear details
Not clear, but interesting and making you want to know more.
Examples
- The announcement was tantalizingly vague about the release date.
- He was tantalizingly vague about what he had planned for the weekend.
Learner examples
- The ad was tantalizingly vague.
- She stayed tantalizingly vague about the news.