teasing

Playfully vexing, especially by ridicule.

Adjective

  1. Playfully vexing, especially by ridicule.
    • The children exchanged teasing remarks during recess.

    Synonyms: mocking quizzical

  2. Arousing sexual desire without intending to satisfy it.
    • The actress gave him a teasing glance before walking away.
  3. Causing irritation or annoyance.
    • The teasing itch from the mosquito bite drove her crazy.

    Synonyms: annoying bothersome galling irritating nettlesome pesky pestering pestiferous plaguey plaguy vexatious vexing

Origin

From tease + -ing.

Forms

more teasing most teasing

Related

harassment molestation caper frolic gambol play romp comb combing playful seductive disagreeable

Derived

brainteasing teasingly

Noun

  1. The act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously, especially by ridicule; provoking someone with persistent annoyances; making fun of, making light of someone.
    • Teasing can be seen as a kind of workplace abuse.
    • The gentle teasing between siblings filled the house with laughter.

    Synonyms: quizzery ribbing tantalization tease

    Hypernyms: bullying

  2. The act of removing tangles from one's hair with a comb.
    • The teasing of her curls took nearly an hour with the fine-tooth comb.

    Synonyms: comb-out

Forms

teasings

Derived

Adam-teasing Eve-teasing

Verb

  1. present participle and gerund of tease